Perianal abscess is a common anorectal disease, which refers to acute or chronic purulent infection occurred in the soft tissue around the anus or in the surrounding spaces, and forms an abscess.
The main symptoms of perianal abscess are divided into three categories: 1. Soft swelling mass: In the early stage, a soft swelling mass protrudes around the anus and gradually enlarges. If it lasts for a long time, it may rupture by itself. 2. Pain: Pain is the most common symptom of perianal abscess, which manifests as gradually aggravating continuous swelling pain or throbbing pain. 3. Fever: Patients with perianal abscess will experience local redness and swelling accompanied by fever, usually low-grade fever, but sometimes high fever, with body temperature ranging between 37-40℃. In addition, patients may also feel general fatigue, loss of appetite, and poor sleep.
Anal cysts and anal abscesses are essentially the same thing. This reflects a matter of degree. Cysts come in many types and vary in severity, while abscesses indicate that pus has formed, making the latter more severe.
Perianal abscess refers to the infection within the rectal anal tissues or the surrounding spaces developing into a cyst. Most cysts form anal fistulas after bursting or surgical incision and drainage. The cyst is the acute phase of the inflammatory pathological process of the rectum and anus, which can develop into chronic anal fistula if not treated in time. Below is an introduction to what perianal abscess is and how to treat it? Perianal abscess manifests as pain, with the position of the abscess under the pelvic diaphragm muscle being relatively shallow, causing severe pain and throbbing pain, affecting walking and sitting. Abscesses above the pelvic diaphragm muscle are deeper, with less pain, mostly distending pain. Pain worsens during defecation and may be accompanied by difficulty in urination. Symptoms also include chills, fever, headache, general discomfort, rapid pulse, etc. White blood cell and neutrophil counts increase.
Cause: The cause is mostly due to anal gland infection, and may also be secondary to perianal skin infection, injury, anal fissure, internal hemorrhoids, drug injection. Diagnosis: Generally, the abscess is not large, with the main symptom being persistent throbbing pain in the perianal area, inconvenience in movement, restlessness in sitting or lying down, and not obvious systemic infectious symptoms. There is obvious redness and swelling at the lesion site, with hard lumps and tenderness. When an abscess forms, there may be a sense of fluctuation, and pus can be aspirated during puncture.
Perianal abscess can easily be confused with other symptoms. A fistula formed between the rectum and the perianal skin or mucosa is called an anal fistula. A fistula caused by perianal infection is called an acquired anal fistula, which differs from a congenital anal fistula in that the acquired one has a normal anus. Usually, when referring to an anal fistula, we mean the acquired type, and when mentioning a congenital anal fistula, it generally includes all types.
Treatment for perianal abscess: Experts from Zhengzhou Anus and Rectum Hospital state that a few perianal abscesses can be dissipated using antibiotics, hot water sitz baths, and local physiotherapy, but most require surgical treatment. Anorectal experts ensure pain-free surgery through strict sterile operation and reasonable anesthesia methods throughout the entire surgical process.