| Anorectal Abscess | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Perianal abscess, perirectal abscess, anal abscess, rectal abscess |
 | |
| Anorectal abscess types and locations | |
| Symptoms | Rectal pain, fever, drainage from the anus, redness of the skin[1] |
| Complications | Anal fistula, sepsis, fecal incontinence, urinary retention, chronic pain[1] |
| Duration | 3 to 8 weeks[1] |
| Types | Perianal, ischiorectal, supralevator, intersphincteric, submucosal[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Examination, medical imaging[1] |
| Differential diagnosis | Anal fissure, anal fistula, thrombosed hemorrhoid, pilonidal cyst, hidradenitis suppurativa[1] |
| Treatment | Incision and drainage, antibiotics, surgery[1] |
| Frequency | 1 in 10,000 per year[1] |
An anorectal abscess is a collection of pus in the region of the anus or rectum.[2][3] Symptoms generally include rectal pain of sudden onset.[1] There may also be fever, drainage from the anus, and redness of the skin in the area.[1] Complications may include an anal fistula, sepsis, fecal incontinence, urinary retention, and chronic pain.[1]
Most cases are the result of an infection of a anal gland.[3] Risk factors include injury, smoking, Crohn's disease, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV/AIDS.[1] There is no relation to hygiene, anal sex, or diabetes.[1] Types include perianal, ischiorectal, supralevator, intersphincteric, and submucosal.[1] Diagnosis is generally by examination and occasionally medical imaging.[1]
A perianal abscess may be simple cut open and drained, while other types generally require antibiotics and potentially surgery.[1] After surgery laxatives, sitz baths, and pain medication are recommended.[1] Healing can take 3 to 8 weeks.[1] About 1 in 10,000 people are affected a year.[1] They are most common in those in their 30s and 40s and males are three times more commonly affected than females.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Turner, SV; Singh, J (January 2020). "Perirectal Abscess". PMID 29939672.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Taylor, Robert B. (2002). Manual of Family Practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 337. ISBN 978-0-7817-2652-8. Archived from the original on 2021-08-27. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
- ^ a b "Abscess and Fistula Expanded Information | ASCRS". fascrs.org. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.