From the Research
A tiny non-infectious abscess is called an epidermoid cyst or a sterile abscess, which is a small, localized collection of pus that forms in tissue but does not contain bacteria or other infectious organisms. This type of abscess typically develops as a reaction to irritating substances, such as injected medications, foreign materials, or chemical irritants, as noted in a study published in the Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences 1. Unlike infectious abscesses, sterile abscesses don't respond to antibiotics since there's no infection to treat. Management usually involves monitoring if small and asymptomatic, or drainage if causing discomfort. In some cases, anti-inflammatory medications may help reduce the inflammation. The body will typically reabsorb small sterile abscesses over time as part of its natural healing process.
Some key points to consider when dealing with tiny non-infectious abscesses include:
- They can form after certain injections when the medication precipitates or crystallizes in the tissue
- They are important to distinguish from infectious abscesses because their treatment approach differs significantly
- Incision and drainage (I&D) is a common treatment approach, but the use of antibiotics is not always necessary, as shown in a study published in the Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD 2
- The use of ultrasonography can be valuable in diagnosing abscesses that are not clinically evident and in guiding I&D procedures, as noted in a study published in The Journal of emergency medicine 3
- The treatment approach may vary depending on the location and size of the abscess, as well as the presence of any underlying medical conditions.
It's worth noting that the term "sterile abscess" is sometimes used to describe a collection of pus that is not infected with bacteria, but this term can be misleading, as it implies that the abscess is completely free of microorganisms. In reality, many sterile abscesses may still contain other types of microorganisms, such as fungi or viruses, as discussed in a study published in Rozhledy v chirurgii : mesicnik Ceskoslovenske chirurgicke spolecnosti 4. Therefore, it's essential to approach each case individually and consider the specific characteristics of the abscess when determining the best course of treatment.