Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Anorectal abscess

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Anal abscess; Rectal abscess; Perirectal abscess; Perianal abscess; anal gland abscess; Abscess - anorectal


Symptoms

Swelling around the anus and a constant, throbbing pain are the most common symptoms. Pain with bowel movements may be severe.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Constipation
  • Discharge of pus from the rectum
  • Fatigue and general malaise
  • Fever, night sweats, and chills
  • Lump or nodule, swollen, red, tender at edge of anus
  • Painful, hardened tissue

In infants, the abscess often appears as a swollen, red, tender lump at the edge of the anus. The infant may be fussy and irritable from discomfort, but there are generally no other symptoms.


Signs and tests

A rectal examination may confirm that you have an anorectal abscess. A proctosigmoidoscopy may be done to rule out other diseases.

Rarely, you may need a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound to determine where the pus collection is located.


Images

Rectum

Review Date: 09/10/2010
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)