SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Abscess”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1976

Intrathoracic presentation of amebic liver abscess.

Amebic infection is endemic in tropical and subtropical countries and still remains a common cause of chronic morbidity in these areas. This is a report of 10 patients with different intrathoracic presentations of amebic liver abscess who were treated surgically after conservative measures had failed. Five of these patients had empyema when first seen, 3 had lung abscess, and 1 had intrathoracic shadow that proved on exploration to be an amebic liver abscess. All of these 9 patients had abscesses on the right side secondary to amebic liver abscess of the right lobe of the liver. The tenth patient had amebic pericarditis secondary to amebic abscess of the left lobe of the liver. Failure of conservative treatment in these patients is attributed to the thick nature of the amebic pus and the severe reaction of the pleura and pericardium to the amebic infection. To avoid the serious complication of pleuropulmonary amebiasis, early operation is advised for large liver abscesses that are unlikely to be controlled by conservative treatment. Transpleural drainage of such abscesses gives direct approach to their sites, which are commonly located in the superior part of the right lobe of the liver. Such drainage has proved to be safe provided that the patient is receiving antiamebic drug treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

Pancreatic abscess.

Compared with the general hospital population of patients with pancreatitis, patients with biliary tract or peptic ulcer disease have de novo pancreatic abscesses develop more commonly than patients with alcoholic pancreatitis. The apparent greater predisposition of the patient with biliary tract or peptic ulcer disease to infection does not seem to be due so much to these patients having potential sources of infection, such as an infected biliary tract or leaking ulcer, as to the fact that many patients with alcoholism and hemorrhagic pancreatitis never survive the fluid loss phase of pancreatitis long enough to have a secondary infection and abscess. The mortality associated with the development of de novo pancreatic abscesses is higher in patients with biliary disease, peptic ulcer or idiopathic pancreatitis in comparison with those patients with alcoholic pancreatitis. Some complications of pancreatic abscesses, such as renal failure, may be avoided through appropriate management of fluid losses during the hemorrhagic phase of pancreatitis preceding absecess formation. Good medical management and aggressive use of newer diagnostic and therapeutic modalities may reduce the mortality and complications of pancreatic abscess. Prompt drainage of an abscess once identified is essential to survival. Proximal colostomy or ileostomy is indicated in the patient with a colonic fistula. Large particulate chunks of necrotic pancreas are not easily evacuated through Penrose, cigarette or sump drains. Marsupialization of the abscess may be considered in patients with this type of abscess.

Abscess↗

PubMed1977

Comparison of 131I-tetracycline and 67Ga-citrate as abscess localizing agents.

Previous studies have shown that radiolabeled tetracyclines tend to accumulate in infarcts and necrotic tumors. These results suggested that radiolabeled tetracyclines might also accumulate in necrotic abscesses or areas of inflammation. In order to develop a better abscess scanning agent, we compared the efficiency of 131I-tetracycline with 67Ga-citrate in labeling experimentally induced staphylococcal aureus abscesses in rats 24 and 72 hours after injection. In addition to evaluating 131I-tetracycline as an abscess scanning agent, we hoped to obtain data which might clarify the controversy regarding early versus late gallium scanning in suspected infection. 131I-tetracycline was chosen over 99mTc-tetracycline because the longer half-life of 131I would allow 72 hour imaging. Absolute concentrations of gallium in the abscess contents and in the surrounding areas of inflammation were significantly greater than the concentration of 131I-tetracycline at both 24 and 72 hours. With the exception of blood, muscle, and bone, the abscess-to-tissue activity ratios for gallium and 131I-tetracycline were similar; however, the ratio of gallium activity in the inflammed tissue to other tissues was greater than that of 131I-tetracycline for every tissue examined at both time periods. The data suggest that 131I-tetracycline has little potential as a general abscess scanning agent. The gallium tissue concentrations and tissue ratios suggest that abscesses which can be imaged at 72 hours can probably be imaged at 24 hours, thus allowing earlier initiation of appropriate therapy. Because of the higher lesion-to-blood ratio at 72 hours, a 72-hour scan would appear to be indicated before a scan is interpreted as normal.

Abscess↗

PubMed1976

Tissue distribution of 203 Pb-acetate: comparison with 67 Ga-citrate as an abscess-localizing agent.

Since 203Pb-acetate accumulates in necrotic tumor tissue, the possibility was raised that it might also accumulate in other necrotic tissue such as abscess. We first studied the tissue distribution and excretion of 203Pb-acetate in control rats at 4, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr. An enterohepatic circulation for lead is suggested. We then compared the uptakes of 203Pb-acetate and 67Ga-citrate in experimental abscesses in rats. The mean gallium accumulation in the abscess was 10 times that of lead at 24 hr and 12 times that of lead at 72 hr. The abscess-to-tissue ratios were greater for gallium for every tissue examined, although the abscessed areas were clearly visualized by scanning at 24 and 72 hr with both agents. With the exception of blood, abscess-to-tissue ratios for 67Ga at 24 hr were higher than or equal to those at 72 hr. However, the 67Ga ratios for the inflamed tissue surrounding the abscess to muscle and blood were higher at 72 hr than at 24 hr, which suggests that inflammation without abscess might be better identified by gallium scanning at 72 hr.

Abscess↗

PubMed1978

Tuberculous brain abscess. Report of a case and review of the literature.

Tuberculous brain abscess is a rarely reported form of central nervous system tuberculosis. Fifty-seven cases were found in a review of the world's literature; only 16 met rigid diagnostic criteria. Tuberculous brain abscesses are devoid of the granulomatous reaction associated with tuberculosis. Histologically and clinically, these abscesses are similar to pyogenic brain abscesses. An analysis of 16 verified cases from the literature and one reported case showed that tuberculous brain abscesses usually present acutely, often in the third and fourth decades, commonly have a supratentorial location, frequently present with focal neurologic signs, and are associated with historical and laboratory evidence of tuberculosis. Tuberculous brain abscesses may be difficult to differentiate from pyogenic brain abscesses, tuberculomas, and tuberculous meningitis on the basis of clinical, laboratory, and roentgenographic information. Appropriate therapy includes adequate antituberculous chemotherapy and surgical excision.

Adult↗

PubMed1977

Subphrenic abscess. The new epidemiology.

Recent changes in the etiology, topography, and bacteriology of subphrenic abscess are identified in 93 patients treated between 1955 and 1975. Gastric and biliary tract operation account for 52% of abscesses. Appendicitis is now responsible for only 8% of subphrenic infections, in contrast with the 40% of previous reports. Colonic surgery (19%) and trauma (8%) are increasing in importance. Left-sided abscesses occur in 40%, and multiple space abscesses in 20% of patients. The bacterial flora consists of multiple strains of aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Since 1970, the aerobes have been Escherichia coli (96%), Klebsiella (21%), and Proteus (38%); anaerobes include Bacteroides (83%), cocci (50%), and clostridia (50%). The mean interval from the preceding operation until drainage of the subphrenic abscess was 5.5 weeks. Overall mortality was 31%, with higher mortalities for multiple space involvement (39%) and for abscesses developing after emergency procedures (35%). Recommendations based on this data are: (1) antibiotics selected should be effective against anaerobes, and (2) transperitoneal drainage is frequently indicated because of the increase in multiple abscesses and the need to evaluate the first operation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

Selective management of subphrenic abscesses.

Although extraserous drainage of subphrenic abscesses has gained wide acceptance, there is some renewed enthusiasm for the more frequent use of a transperitoneal operation because it affords the opportunity to discover unsuspected pathologic conditions, particularly heterotopic abscess. In 44 patients with postoperative subphrenic abscesses, the approach to drainage was selected on the basis of the clinical circumstances. Among 28 patients whose abscesses were drained extraserously, the incidence of heteroptic and recurrent abscesses was low. No serious complications of peritoneal or wound soilage occurred after transperitoneal drainage in 16 patients, yet the problems of inadequate drainage and heteroptic abscess were not eliminated. Celiotomy prior to definitive abscess localization was required for 13 patients. Five patients died. The operative approach should be based on the clinical assessment of the patient and particularly on the probability that multicentric intra-abdominal pathologic conditions exist.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A new concept of the anatomy of the anal sphincter mechanism and the physiology of defecation. VI. The central abscess: a new clinicopathologic entity in the genesis of anorectal suppuration.

The central abscess is a new clinicopathologic entity which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of anorectal abscess and fistula. Eight cases are presented. The abscess occupies the central space, which lies between the longitudinal muscle and the base loop of the external sphincter. The anatomic pattern and the clinical manifestations of the abscess are discussed. The abscess extended, in some cases, to the subcutaneous space and perianal skin, to the anal canal proper, or to the intersphincteric spaces. This is due to the fact that the central space communicates with all of the other perianal spaces along the central septa. A new theory in the pathogenesis of anorectal suppuration and fistula is put forward. It is believed that all anorectal abscesses or fistulas originate as central space infection which spreads to the other perianal spaces. Proper diagnosis and early drainage of the central abscess prevent further spread of suppuration to other spaces.

Abscess↗

PubMed1978

[Treatment of solitary pyogenic liver abscess (author's transl)].

A solitary pyogenic liver abscess usually requires open surgical drainage. Digital exploration of the cavity is important for eliminating any loculations and avoiding complications after the drainage procedure. Chronic liver abscesses which are enclosed by a fibrous capsule and thus may simulate a neoplastic tumor are best treated by atypical liver resection close to the abscess or by a procedure similar to pericystectomy. Early radical operation is indicated for a complicated liver abscess whenever two drainage procedures have failed and the patient's condition is deteriorating. In such a case the development of sepsis and (or) multiple abscesses caused by an internal fistula to the bile duct system are a potential and increasing danger. Anatomical liver resection, though the most radical operation, carries a comparatively low risk as its mortality rate is less than 10%. The prognosis of solitary abscess has improved during the last decade due to an earlier diagnosis and adequate surgical drainage in combination with antibiotics. Anaerobic liver abscesses have the best prognosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976

[A urologic-radiological view of perinephric abscesses (author's transl)].

Perinephric abscess is a rare condition; it may be acute, but can take a chronic and atypical course as a result of incomplete treatment with antibiotics. In this case the diagnosis is often delayed. The most common cause is primary renal disease, with perforating ureteric stones, abscess-forming pyelonephritis, renal carbuncle and pyonephrosis as the most important factors. Diagnosis depends on a varying combination of clinical signs, any of which is not necessarily present and which is not pathognomic, but nevertheless, in their totality, are fairly typical. Characteristic are pain on percussion and pressure, resistance in the renal angle and fever. Laboratory investigations do not contribute to the diagnosis. These only show findings typical of any infection, and frequently a marked anaemia. An infected urine may be suggestive. The traditional clinical and radiological methods may well indicate a space-occupying lesion, but its further elucidation depends on angiography. Renal and perinephric abscesses must be distinguished from other space-occupying renal lesions. Abscesses can usually be distinguished from cysts because they are generally less clearly demarkated and often show a hypervascular margin with a "blush". A further differential diagnosis of perinephic abscess is a peri-renal haematoma. Radiologically, an haematoma also produces a perirenal mass with displacement and compression of the kidney. As with perinephric abscesses, the angiogram shows dilatation and displacement of the capsular arteries. Differences in the neovascularity, as well as in the clinical symptoms, permit differentiation between abscesses and hypovascular carcinomas in most cases, or at least suggest the probable diagnosis.

Abscess↗

PubMed1978

Myocardial abscesses.

A review of postmortem materials from two teaching hospitals, accumulated in a 14-year period (1962--1975), disclosed 63 patients with myocardial abscesses among 12,359 autopsies, an incidence of 0.5%. All 63 patients had multi-focal myocardial abscesses; the lesions were grossly discernible in six patients. Coexisting infective endocarditis was present in approximately 20% (12) of the 63 patients with myocardial abscesses. Candida and Staphylococcus aureus were most common organisms responsible for the abscesses. Candida was identified in 23 patients (37%) by histologic examination of the heart sections, and 11 of these also had antemortem blood cultures positive for Candida. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from the antemortem blood of 22 patients, two of whom also showed candidal organisms in the heart at necropsy. Eighty-one per cent (51) of 63 patients had abscesses in one or more extracardiac organs. It appeared that most of the myocardial abscesses had resulted from disseminated sepsis. Surgical conditions, malignancy and alcoholic hepatic disease were the most frequent primary conditions in patients with myocardial abscesses.

Abscess↗

PubMed1979

Retropharyngeal abscesses in children revisited.

Retropharyngeal abscess appears in infancy and early childhood. Because of the advances in antibiotic therapy, the frequency of this disease has decreased considerably. If overlooked, however, the sequelae of retropharyngeal abscess can be disastrous. Of the typical signs and symptoms listed in presentation, the swelling of the posterior pharyngeal wall is referred to as an important diagnostic sign. This presentation will discuss the fallibility of this important sign in the evaluation of a retropharyngeal abscess in children. The size of the pediatric oral cavity and the presence of pooling secretions in the pharynx, due to retropharyngeal tissue swelling, make assessment of swelling of the posterior pharyngeal wall extremely difficult. Radiological assessment of retropharyngeal abscesses cannot differentiate between cellulitis and abscess formation. The presentation will discuss the radiological appearance of a retropharyngeal swelling and discuss the differentiation of abscess formation from cellulitis. The rationale for a therapeutic regime will be developed to validate the concept that with suggestive clinical signs, suggestive radiological diagnosis, and in spite of negative evidence of retropharyngeal swelling by oral examination, justification exists for an examination under anesthesia and incision and/or aspiration of the retropharyngeal abscess.

Abscess↗

PubMed1979

Clinical aspects of grave pyogenic abscesses of the liver.

Solitary hepatic abscess has a favorable prognosis in contrast with multiple abscesses which generally are fatal. As compared with the classical cause of appendicitis, at present, abscesses are frequently related to biliary tract and diverticular disease. Occult or temporally remote processes are responsibile for many solitary abscesses. Lethality of multiple abscesses is related to fulminant hepatic and source sepsis, atypical syndromes, late diagnosis and difficult, complex treatment. Causative organisms are predominantly gram-negative and increasingly anaerobic, requiring special bacteriology for isolation. Various laboratory data are useful in diagnosis and prognosis, but liver scans and celiac angiography are critical procedures. Treatment aimed at lowering the mortality of multiple liver abscesses includes early diagnosis, surgical exploration and abscess drainage, direct bacterial identification emphasizing anaerobic techniques, intense specific antibiotic therapy and identification and definitive therapy of the seeding focus with special attention being given to the biliary tract.

Adult↗

PubMed1978

Accuracy of grey-scale ultrasound diagnosis of abdominal and pelvic abscesses in 220 patients.

The accuracy of grey-scale ultrasound in the detection and localisation of abdominal and pelvic abscesses was assessed retrospectively in 220 patients in whom an abscess had been suspected at presentation. Thirty-six out of forty abdominal abscesses were correctly diagnosed (90%), while an abscess was correctly excluded in 112 out of 113 patients (99%). Thirty-two out of thirty-three pelvic abscesses were diagnosed (97%), and a pelvic abscess was correctly excluded in 33 out of 34 patients (97%). Thus the overall accuracy of the method was 96.8%, with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 98.6%.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1977

Bacteriology of abscesses of the central nervous system: a multicentre prospective study.

Pus from 46 patients with abscesses of the central nervous system (CNS) was examined for bacteria; bacteria were found in all patients. Streptococci were isolated from 36 patients and most isolates were Streptococcus milleri, Lancefield Group F, Ottens and Winkler type O III. Staphylococci were isolated from nine patients, organisms of the bacteroides group from 11, Proteus spp from seven, Klebsiella aerogenes from one, and Haemophilus aphrophilus from one. Pure cultures predominated over mixed cultures. Streptococci were isolated from abscesses of all types, and at all sites, but members of the Enterobacteriaceae and of the bacteroides group were isolated, in mixed cultures, principally from abscesses of the temporal lobe secondary to infection of the middle ear. Staphylococci predominated in abscesses that followed accidental or surgical trauma. Compared with fully sensitive control organisms, microbes infecting half the patients were resistant to penicillin. The prognosis of abscess of the CNS is grave, and the microbiological findings have important consequences for treatment. Prompt inoculation of specimens to culture plates and prompt incubation are mandatory if bacteria are to be cultured. Inhibitors of antimicrobial agents should be added to culture media if antibiotics have been administered. Provided that the site of the abscess and the antecedent history are ascertainable, the neurosurgeon should be able to start appropriate treatment while awaiting the results of culture.

Abscess↗

PubMed1977

Antibiotic treatment of abscesses of the central nervous system.

Samples of intracranial pus and serum from 32 patients were assayed to determine the concentrations reached in them of penicillin, ampicillin, cloxacillin, cephaloridine, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, fusidic acid, and lincomycin. Metronidazole had not been given. Penicillin penetrated abscesses reasonably well, but other beta-lactam antibiotics did not. The penetration of chloramphenicol was erratic. Aminoglycosides penetrated poorly, but lincomycin and fusidic acid penetrated well. Assay of sulphonamides and co-trimoxazole in pus was unreliable. These studies indicate that treatment of abscesses of the central nervous system should be considered according to the site and the likely antecedent cause. Abscesses of sinusitic origin, usually in the frontal lobe, yield penicillin-sensitive streptococci. Penicillin is the drug of choice. Abscesses of otitic origin, usually in the temporal lobe, yield a mixed flora, often including anaerobic bacteria. Multiple antibiotic therapy is indicated. Abscesses of metastatic or cryptogenic origin yield streptococci or mixed cultures, and multiple therapy is appropriate while awaiting the bacteriological results. Spinal and post-traumatic abscesses yield Staphylococcus aureus, and fusidic acid is the drug of choice.

Abscess↗

PubMed1978

Evaluation of abdominal abscess with computed tomography.

Computed tomography (CT) is valuable in providing a specific diagnosis of abdominal abscess and in determining its site and extent. Computed tomography is also capable of excluding an abscess with a high degree of certainty. In 31 of 34 patients with proven abdominal abscess, CT suggested the correct diagnosis and accurately defined the extent of involvement. In nine patients, the CT findings were specific for abscess. The CT appearance of abscess is diverse, largely depending on its location. The most common appearance is a low density mass often with higher density at the periphery. The presence of gas distributed within the mass or an extraalimentary air--fluid level allows an extremely confident diagnosis of abscess. Differential diagnostic possibilities are reviewed with emphasis on interpretive problems.

Abscess↗

PubMed1978

Brain abscesses in Northern Ireland: a 30 year community review.

One hundred and seventy-two cases of intracranial abscesses, obtained from Neurosurgical and Centralised Autopsy Records for Northern Ireland for the 30 years, 1947--1976, have been reviewed. The incidence of the disease has fallen from five to three per million of population per year over the past three decades. Intracranial abscesses were three times as common in males as in females. Twenty-nine per cent of the abscesses were in the temporal lobe, 25% frontal, 10% parietal, 6% cerebellar, 3% occipital, and 7% were either subdural or in deep sites such as the thalamus; the remainder (20%) were multiple. Multiple and occipital abscesses were all fatal, temporal and parietal abscesses were associated with a 65% mortality, and 45% of patients with frontal abscesses died. Chronic suppurative otitis media was the single largest cause, and it was the only aetiological factor to have shown a progressive decline over 30 years. For those seen and treated in the neurosurgical unit the mortality was 53%, but if those obtained from the necropsy records were included the overall mortality was 70%.

Adolescent↗