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An empyema (/ ˌ ɛ m p aɪ ˈ iː m ə /; from Ancient Greek ἐμπύημα (empúēma) 'abscess') is a collection or gathering of pus within a naturally existing anatomical cavity. The term is most commonly used to refer to pleural empyema, [1] which is empyema of the pleural cavity.
The final structure of the abscess is an abscess wall, or capsule, that is formed by the adjacent healthy cells in an attempt to keep the pus from infecting neighboring structures. However, such encapsulation tends to prevent immune cells from attacking bacteria in the pus, or from reaching the causative organism or foreign object.
A dental abscess is a localized collection of pus associated with a tooth. The most common type of dental abscess is a periapical abscess, and the second most common is a periodontal abscess. In a periapical abscess, usually the origin is a bacterial infection that has accumulated in the soft, often dead, pulp of the tooth.
When pus forms, the pressure increases, with increasing pain, until it spontaneously drains and relieves the pain. When pus drains into the mouth, a bad taste and smell are perceived. Usually drainage occurs via the periodontal pocket, or else the infection may spread as a cellulitis or a purulent odontogenic infection .
Pus is an exudate, typically white-yellow, yellow, or yellow-brown, formed at the site of inflammation during infections, regardless of cause. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] An accumulation of pus in an enclosed tissue space is known as an abscess , whereas a visible collection of pus within or beneath the epidermis is known as a pustule , pimple or spot.
Pancreatic abscess is a late complication of acute necrotizing pancreatitis, occurring more than 4 weeks after the initial attack. A pancreatic abscess is a collection of pus resulting from tissue necrosis, liquefaction, and infection. It is estimated that approximately 3% of the patients with acute pancreatitis will develop an abscess. [1]
Incision and drainage (I&D), also known as clinical lancing, are minor surgical procedures to release pus or pressure built up under the skin, such as from an abscess, boil, or infected paranasal sinus.
Most commonly, it is used in contradistinction to a "walled-off" pus-filled collection , although a phlegmon may progress to an abscess if untreated. A phlegmon can localize anywhere in the body. [1] The Latin term phlegmōn is from Ancient Greek φλέγω (phlégō) 'burn'.