| abdominal abscess | <surgery> A localised pus-forming (suppurative) bacterial infection that occurs within the abdominal cavity as the result of a perforated viscus or post operative complication. Treatment requires either percutaneous or open surgical drainage. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| abscess | <microbiology, surgery> A localised collection of pus caused by suppuration buried in tissues, organs or confined spaces. Usually due to an infective process. Origin: L. Abscessus, from ab = away, cedere = to go (18 Nov 1997) |
| abscess, peritonsillar | A persistent collection of pus behind the tonsil. (12 Dec 1998) |
| abscess scan | <investigation> This is a nuclear scan that utilises radioactively tagged white blood cells. The patients white blood cells (taken from a small tube of blood) are tagged with radioactive indium. Later, the cells are then reinjected into the bloodstream. The coarse of the white blood cells can then be mapped using a gamma camera (radiation detecting device). The net result is a picture that shows the location of the radioactive white blood cells. The location of the white cells can indicated the presence of infection or inflammation. This test is useful in detecting a hidden source of bacterial infection, such as an abscess. (11 Mar 1998) |
| abscess, skin | Medical term for a common boil. (12 Dec 1998) |
| acute abscess | A recently formed abscess with little or no fibrosis in the wall of the cavity. Synonym: hot abscess. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alveolar abscess | A pocket of pus adjacent to or within (apical abscess) the tooth's root caused by plaque and calculus invasion. Symptoms include tooth pain and tenderness that may be accompanied by facial swelling and a fever. Treatment includes antibiotics and a thorough cleansing of the infected site by a dentist. See: apical abscess. (27 Sep 1997) |
| amoebic abscess | <gastroenterology> An area of abscess formation (liquefaction necrosis) in the liver due to infection of the organ with amoebae. See: amoebiasis. (05 Feb 1998) |
| anorectal abscess | <surgery> An abscess that forms adjacent to the anal opening. Symptoms include a tender swelling adjacent to the anus and pain on defecation. (27 Sep 1997) |
| apical abscess | <dentistry> A dental abscess that occurs at the end of a root, caused by tooth decay which invades the pulp chamber of the tooth. Involvement of the pulp chamber can lead to destruction of the nerve and blood vessels which supply the tooth. These infections must be treated by root canal therapy (endodontics) or tooth extraction. (27 Sep 1997) |
| appendiceal abscess | An intraperitoneal abscess, usually in the right iliac fossa, resulting from extension of infection in acute appendicitis, especially with perforation of the appendix. Synonym: periappendiceal abscess. (05 Mar 2000) |
| areolar gland abscess | An abscess or growth on the areolar gland (located beneath the areola) in the breast. most often perceived as a tender, painful lump that may drain pus. Incision and drainage is often required. The early application of warm wet compresses and antibiotics can be helpful in avoiding large abscess formation. (27 Sep 1997) |
| Bartholin's abscess | An abscess of the vulvovaginal gland. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Bezold's abscess | An abscess deep in the neck parapharyngeal space associated with suppuration in the mastoid tip cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bicameral abscess | An abscess with two separate cavities or chambers. (05 Mar 2000) |