Skin abscess

Revision as of 20:44, 2 June 2016 by Neil.m.young (talk | contribs)

Background

  • MRSA is the most common cause of purulent skin and soft-tissue infections.[1][2][3]

Clinical Features

  • Tender nodular region with surrounding induration
  • Fluctuance
  • Surrounding erythema

Differential Diagnosis

  • Cyst
  • Vascular malformation

Skin and Soft Tissue Infection

Look-A-Likes

Diagnosis

  • Clinical exam

Five day old Abscess.jpg

  • Soft tissue ultrasound can differentiate between abscess and cellulitis
    • Assess for fluid collection and swirl within the collection

Isoechoic abscess.png

Management

Disposition

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Maligner D et al. The prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in skin abscesses presenting to the pediatric emergency department. N C Med J. 2008 Sep-Oct;69(5):351-4.
  2. Pickett A et al. Changing incidence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus skin abscesses in a pediatric emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2009 Dec;25(12):831-4.
  3. Bradley W. Frazee et al. High Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Emergency Department Skin and Soft Tissue Infections http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2004.10.011
  4. Talan DA, et al. Trimethoprim–Sulfamethoxazole versus placebo for uncomplicated skin abscess. NEJM. 2016; 374(9):823-832.
  5. EBQ:TMP-SMX vs Placebo for Uncomplicated Skin Abscess