What are the symptoms of perianal abscess?

Perianal abscess is generally divided into two causes: infectious and iatrogenic. Infectious causes are generally caused by anal gland infection, while iatrogenic causes are caused by improper operation. Weak body, low resistance, and malnutrition can all cause symptoms of perianal abscess.

1. Perianal abscess

Subcutaneous abscesses around the anus are the most common and are usually located in the subcutaneous area behind or to the side of the anus and are generally small. Pain, swelling and local tenderness are the main manifestations. Systemic infectious symptoms are not obvious.

2. Sciatic anal space abscess

It is also called ischiorectal abscess. Due to the larger ischiorectal space, the abscess formed is also larger and deeper. When the disease occurs, there is continuous distension and pain on the affected side, which gradually worsens and is followed by continuous throbbing pain, which is aggravated during bowel movements or walking. Systemic infection symptoms are obvious, with fever being the most common clinical symptom. The early local signs are not obvious, but later redness and swelling will appear on the affected side of the anus, and there will be deep tenderness and even a sense of fluctuation on the affected side during local palpation or digital rectal examination.

3. Pelvic rectal space abscess

Because this gap is deep and spacious, the systemic symptoms introduced are more severe and the local symptoms are not obvious. There are systemic poisoning symptoms in the early stages, such as fever, chills, and general fatigue and discomfort. The local manifestations are a feeling of heaviness in the rectum and a feeling of incomplete defecation. Rectal examination may reveal a lump on the rectal wall, which is tender and fluctuant. The diagnosis is mainly based on puncture and aspiration of pus, and can be confirmed by rectal ultrasound or CT examination when necessary.