Posts

Abscess: Types

There can be various types of abscess. These are briefed below: 1. Acute/ Warm abscess: An abscess associated with significant inflammation, producing intense heat, redness, swelling, and throbbing pain. The tissue over the abscess becomes elevated, soft, and eventually unstable (fluctuant) and discolored as the abscess comes to a head (points). An abscess can rupture spontaneously or be drained via an incision. If it is left untreated , the pathogens may spread to adjacent tissues or to other parts of the body via the bloodstream. Appearance of or increase in fever may indicate sepsis. 2. Alveolar abscess: Abscess about the root of a tooth in the alveolar cavity. It is usually the result of necrosis and infection of dental pulp following dental caries. 3. Amebic abscess: An abscess caused by Entamoeba histolytica . It is also known as endamebic abscess. 4. Anorectal abscess: Abscess in the ischiorectal fossa. It is also known as ischiorectal abscess. 5. Apical abscess: It is the...

Introduction to abscess

A localized collection of pus in any body part that results from invasion of a pyogenic bacterium or other pathogen is called an abscess.  Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause. The abscess is surrounded by a membrane of variable strength created by macrophages, fibrin, and granulation tissue. Abscesses can disrupt function in adjacent tissues and can be life threatening if the swelling interferes with breathing or vital organ function.