Abscesses, Pilonidal Disease and Skin Conditions Flashcards
What is an abscess?
1 - sac filled with fluid lined by epithelial cells
2 - fluid filled sac lined by granulation tissue
3 - pus filled collection lined by only epithelial cells
4 - pus filled collection that can be lined by any cells
4 - pus filled collection that can be lined by any cells
- can occur anywhere in the body
What is pus?
1 - dead tissue
2 - immune cells (normally neutrophils)
3 - bacteria
4 - all of the above
4 - all of the above
Abscess in the UK are commonly caused by bacteria. What is the most common bacteria that causes abscesses?
1 - staphylococcus aureus
2 - streptococcus
3 - enterobacteriaceae
4 - legionella
1 - staphylococcus aureus
What is the incidence of abscesses?
1 - 0.5 / 1000
2 - 5 /1000
3 - 50 / 1000
4 - 500 / 1000
3 - 50 / 1000
Abscesses can form from pre-existing pathology. Which of the following is NOT commonly associated with causing a cyst?
1 - Epidermal cyst
2 - Pilonidal sinus
3 - Erysipelas
4 - Fistula
5 - Foreign body/device
3 - Erysipelas
- skin infection affecting the dermis layer of the skin
Patients who are immunocompromised are at risk of abscess formation as they struggle to fight off infection and form a fibrinogen capsule around the infection, immune cells and dead tissue. In addition to a reduced immune system, which of the following is NOT a risk factor for abscess formation?
1 - breach of skin
2 - gender
3 - smoking
4 - obesity
2 - gender
- skin breaches are due to:
- Iatrogenic (e.g. surgery)
- Intravenous drug users (up to 65% IVDUs will get abscesses)
- Foreign body
- Trauma
There are several mechanisms involved in abscess formation. Arrange the following, in order of what most common mechanisms:
1 - pus if formed (liquefactive necrosis) causing local necrosis
2 - some bacteria killed, others resistant to phagocytosis
3 - pyogenic (pus forming) bacteria introduced to tissue
4 - fibrinogen surrounds pus containing it
5 - cytokines releases attracting neutrophils
3 - pyogenic (pus forming) bacteria introduced to tissue
5 - cytokines releases attracting neutrophils
2 - some bacteria killed, others resistant to phagocytosis
1 - pus if formed (liquefactive necrosis) causing local necrosis
4 - fibrinogen surrounds pus containing it
Even though fibrinogen and other immune cells have contained the bacteria in an abscess, there are still live bacteria which in addition to local necrosis can spread and typically can cause which 2 of the following?
1 - sepsis
2 - erysipelas
3 - cellulitis
4 - cyst
1 - sepsis
3 - cellulitis
- the pus can reach epithelial surface, discharge and spread, resulting in cellulitis and sepsis
When we suspect an abscess we may see the 5 cardinal signs of inflammation. Which one is NOT one of the 5 signs?
1 - Calor (warmth)
2 - Rigor (stretch)
3 - Dolor (pain)
4 - Rubor (redness)
5 - Tumour (swelling)
6 - Functio Laesa (loss of function)
2 - Rigor (stretch)
In addition to the 5 cardinal signs of inflammation we may also see the following in an abscess:
1 - pointing (abscess comes to a point)
2 - cellulitis that spreads
3 - fever and systematically unwell
4 - advanced changes with necrosis
Although most diagnose of abscess are through clinical judgement, which imaging modality can be used to check 1st?
1 - ultrasound
2 - MRI
3 - CT
4 - X-ray
1 - ultrasound
- 1st choice
- BUT CT or MRI may be needed to check for internal abscess formation post-operatively
Which 2 of the following would be a conservative management be for the treatment of an abscess?
1 - percutaneous drainage
2 - surgical drainage
3 - antibiotics
4 - wait and see
3 - antibiotics
4 - wait and see
- some abscess point and just discharge and heal by secondary intention
Which 2 of the following would be a non-conservative management be for the treatment of an abscess?
1 - percutaneous drainage
2 - surgical drainage
3 - antibiotics
4 - wait and see
1 - percutaneous drainage
2 - surgical drainage
- depends on the location
- sample of pus may be helpful if ongoing pathology
If an abscess becomes recurrent or chronic despite treatment, what does this suggest?
1 - poor drainage
2 - antibiotic resistant
3 - ongoing pathology
3 - ongoing pathology
What is pilonidal disease?
1 - piles (haemorrhoids)
2 - chronic abscess
3 - percutaneous inflammation
4 - inflammatory skin infection
4 - inflammatory skin infection
- pilus = hair
- nidus = nest
- skin becomes infected, likely to contain hair and debris