Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- presence of risk factors
- soft-tissue swelling
Other diagnostic factors
- multiple sinuses
- skin discoloration
- chewing difficulties
- constitutional symptoms
- change in bowel habits
- abdominal discomfort
- nausea and vomiting
- sensation of abdominal mass
- vaginal bleeding or discharge
- dry or productive cough
- blood-streaked sputum
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- focal neurological defects
Risk factors
- male gender
- injury or inflammation of the oral cavity
- diabetes mellitus
- immunosuppression
- malnutrition
- local tissue damage by neoplasia, trauma, or irradiation
- intra-uterine device
- aspiration
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- culture of pus or affected tissue
- histology of affected tissue
- immunohistology
- FBC
- CT or MRI of abdomen
Emerging tests
- PCR of affected tissue
- serology
Treatment algorithm
non-penicillin-allergic
penicillin-allergic
Contributors
Authors
Thomas Schneider, MD, PhD
Professor
Medical Department I
Charité - University Medicine Berlin
CBF
Berlin
Germany
Disclosures
TS is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.
Verena Moos, PhD
Scientist
Medical Department I
Charité - University Medicine Berlin
CBF
Berlin
Germany
Disclosures
VM is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.
Peer reviewers
Johannes R. Bogner, MD
Professor of Internal Medicine
Department of Infectious Diseases
Medical Polyclinic
University Hospital Munich
Munich
Germany
Disclosures
JRB declares that he has no competing interests.
Chris Huston, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases
University of Vermont
Burlington
VT
Disclosures
CH declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Abdominal abscess
- Ovarian or oviductal tumour
- Appendicitis
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