Unilateral Absence of the Psoas Major and Iliacus Muscles and Downstream Effects of Surgical Intervention in a 96 year-old Female Donor

Learning anatomy through donor dissection allows students the unique opportunity to explore variations in anatomical structures which may include or indicate pathological anomalies. Findings could reveal insights into the life of the donor, along with the downstream effects of clinical intervention. This case study discusses the findings of a group of first-year medical students during a full body dissection of a 96-year-old female. Among other anomalies, evidence of drastic surgical intervention, extreme scoliosis, and muscle atrophy were noted. Findings suggest that the donor’s right psoas major and iliacus muscles were removed, likely as part of a surgical resection of a retroperitoneal tumor. Distal to the resected muscles, notable muscle atrophy with fat infiltration in the anterior right thigh muscles suggests muscle wasting, which could be secondary to the removal of these muscles. In addition, extreme scoliosis was discovered, likely attributed to the imbalance in hip flexor muscles following surgical removal of the iliopsoas muscle. The theorized surgical removal of iliopsoas muscles along with the downstream effects of muscle atrophy and severe scoliosis depict the impact surgical intervention can have on a patient’s quality of life. Anatomical findings of the donor discovered during dissection and theorized surgical interventions based upon gross findings are discussed in detail within this case.