Intra-abdominal abscess

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Intra-abdominal abscess, CT scan

Intra-abdominal abscess

Definition:

Intra-abdominal abscesses -- either single or multiple -- are infected pockets of fluid (collections of pus) that occur within the abdominal cavity.

Alternative Names:

Abscess - intra-abdominal

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Intra-abdominal abscesses can be caused by a ruptured appendix, ruptured diverticula, intestinal parasitism (Entamoeba histolytica), and other conditions.

Risk factors for intra-abdominal abscesses include any history of abdominal infectious processes such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, perforated ulcer disease, or any operation that involves contamination of the abdominal cavity, foreign bodies or dead tissue.

Review Date: 7/14/2004
Reviewed By: Norman S. Kato, MD, Surgeon with the Cardiac Care Medical Group, Encino, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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