Overview
What is the anatomy relevant to abdominal abscess?
What is the pathophysiology of abdominal abscess?
What causes abdominal abscess?
What is the prognosis of abdominal abscess?
Which factors increase the risk for morbidity and mortality in abdominal abscess?
Presentation
What are the signs and symptoms of abdominal abscess?
DDX
What are the differential diagnoses for Abdominal Abscess?
Workup
How does delayed diagnosis affect the prognosis of abdominal abscess?
What is the role of lab testing in the diagnosis of abdominal abscess?
What is the role of radiography in the diagnosis of abdominal abscess?
What is the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of abdominal abscess?
What is the role of CT scanning in the diagnosis of abdominal abscess?
What is the role of radioisotope scanning in the diagnosis of abdominal abscess?
Treatment
Which organizations have released treatment guidelines for abdominal abscess?
What is the role of pharmacologic therapy in the treatment of abdominal abscess?
What is the role of percutaneous abscess drainage in the treatment of abdominal abscess?
What is the role of laparoscopic abscess drainage in the treatment of abdominal abscess?
Medications
What is the goal of drug treatment for abdominal abscess?
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Percutaneous computed tomography (CT) scan–guided drainage of postoperative subhepatic collection.
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Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of infected pancreatic pseudocyst (which can develop from acute necrotizing pancreatitis and give rise to an abscess).
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A 35-year-old man with a history of Crohn disease presented with pain and swelling in the right abdomen. Figure A shows a thickened loop of terminal ileum adherent to the right anterior abdominal wall. In figure B, the right anterior abdominal wall, adjacent to the inflamed terminal ileum, is markedly thickened and edematous. Figure C shows a right lower quadrant abdominal wall abscess and enteric fistula (confirmed by the presence of enteral contrast in the abdominal wall).