Retroperitoneal abscess. A potentially fatal complication of closed

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fracture of the pelvis. O'Keefe-TJ J-Bone-Joint-Surg-Am. 1978 Dec; 60(8): 1117-21 Two patients were seen in whom a retroperitoneal abscess developed following closed pelvic fracture. A retroperitoneal abscess is often unsuspected clinically, and presents a difficult diagnostic challenge. Prompt recognition and treatment are essential to patient survival.