When a patient has a collection of bacteria in the body, an abscess can form. Abscesses occur more commonly in patients with Crohn’s Disease, following trauma, surgery or due to an intestinal perforation. Abscesses can also result from minor breaks in the skin, obstructed sweat or oil glands and inflammation of hair follicles. Patients experience pain and discomfort, fever, chills and sweating. It’s critical to treat an abscess very quickly as the infection can impair blood flow to the neighboring areas of the body and result in a loss of limb, if it is ignored.

 

An abscess is typically treated by inserting a catheter to drain the infection from the body. An ultrasound or CT scan can detect the site of the abscess. Under CT guidance, an interventional radiologist inserts a catheter to drain the abscess and remove the infection from the body. In the past, surgery was often required to relieve the infection, but is used in only extreme cases.

When a patient has a collection of bacteria in the body, an abscess can form. Abscesses occur more commonly in patients with Crohn’s Disease, following trauma, surgery or due to an intestinal perforation. Abscesses can also result from minor breaks in the skin, obstructed sweat or oil glands and inflammation of hair follicles. Patients experience pain and discomfort, fever, chills and sweating. It’s critical to treat an abscess very quickly as the infection can impair blood flow to the neighboring areas of the body and result in a loss of limb, if it is ignored.

 

An abscess is typically treated by inserting a catheter to drain the infection from the body. An ultrasound or CT scan can detect the site of the abscess. Under CT guidance, an interventional radiologist inserts a catheter to drain the abscess and remove the infection from the body. In the past, surgery was often required to relieve the infection, but is used in only extreme cases.