Skin bacterial abscess - Anogenital in
See also in: Overview,Cellulitis DDx,Hair and ScalpAlerts and Notices
Important News & Links
Synopsis

Penile abscess is a rare condition. It presents as a red, hot, tender, and painful nodule on the shaft of the penis, frequently associated with edema of the foreskin. In addition to Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli may cause penile abscesses. In immunosuppressed individuals, uncommon bacteria such as Staphylococcus lugdunensis may be the causative organisms. In these cases, the lesion may be small with little inflammation and only slight tenderness or pain. Foreign substances, such as lipid injection to enhance penile girth, may also cause abscesses.
Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) first emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen in the 1960s. In more recent years, community-acquired outbreaks of MRSA (CA-MRSA) have been described increasingly among healthy individuals lacking the traditional risk factors for such infections (intravenous [IV] drug use, incarceration, participation in contact sports, etc). These strains have a propensity for causing abscesses, furunculosis, and folliculitis and have a unique antibiotic susceptibility profile from health care associated strains of MRSA.
It has been shown that the majority of purulent skin and soft tissue infections presenting to emergency rooms across the United States are caused by CA-MRSA.
Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) first emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen in the 1960s. In more recent years, community-acquired outbreaks of MRSA (CA-MRSA) have been described increasingly among healthy individuals lacking the traditional risk factors for such infections (intravenous [IV] drug use, incarceration, participation in contact sports, etc). These strains have a propensity for causing abscesses, furunculosis, and folliculitis and have a unique antibiotic susceptibility profile from health care associated strains of MRSA.
It has been shown that the majority of purulent skin and soft tissue infections presenting to emergency rooms across the United States are caused by CA-MRSA.
Codes
ICD10CM:
L02.91 – Cutaneous abscess, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
31928004 – Abscess of skin AND/OR subcutaneous tissue
L02.91 – Cutaneous abscess, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
31928004 – Abscess of skin AND/OR subcutaneous tissue
Look For
Subscription Required
Diagnostic Pearls
Subscription Required
Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- In a normal host, a noninflammatory abscess is "classic" for mycobacterial infections.
- An inflamed epidermal cyst is frequently mistaken for an infectious abscess.
- Drug reactions to halogens such as iododerma or viral infections such as milker's nodule or orf may mimic abscesses.
- Large dermal nodules of pseudolymphoma can sometimes look like an abscess.
- Fournier gangrene / necrotizing fasciitis
- Pilonidal disease
Best Tests
Subscription Required
Management Pearls
Subscription Required
Therapy
Subscription Required
References
Subscription Required
Last Updated:10/08/2017

Premium Feature
VisualDx Patient Handouts
Available in the Elite package
- Improve treatment compliance
- Reduce after-hours questions
- Increase patient engagement and satisfaction
- Written in clear, easy-to-understand language. No confusing jargon.
- Available in English and Spanish
- Print out or email directly to your patient
Upgrade Today
Skin bacterial abscess - Anogenital in
See also in: Overview,Cellulitis DDx,Hair and Scalp