Abscess

An abscess is an infection of the soft tissue that results in a pooling of pus. They are typically caused by bacteria, parasites or foreign substances. When near the surface of the skin, abscesses are obvious to the eye, appearing red and swollen. Abscesses are often painful.

Treatment for an abscess usually requires antibiotics and/or draining the contained fluid through needle aspiration in order to relieve symptoms and rid the body of the infection. The drainage procedure may be performed under ultrasound or CT guidance to ensure precise and effective treatment of the abscess. During the procedure, a small needle is inserted directly into the abscess to aspirate and drain any fluid. Only a local anesthetic is needed to minimize any potential discomfort from the needle. The removed fluid may be analyzed to detect any bacterial infection or determine the cause of the pus buildup.