An anorectal abscess is a localized collection of pus in the perirectal spaces. Abscesses usually originate in an anal crypt. Symptoms are pain and swelling. Diagnosis is primarily by examination and CT or pelvic MRI for deeper abscesses. Treatment is surgical drainage.

An abscess may be located in various spaces surrounding the rectum and may be superficial or deep. A perianal abscess is superficial and points to the skin. An ischiorectal abscess is deeper, extending across the sphincter into the ischiorectal space below the levator ani; it may penetrate to the contralateral side, forming a “horseshoe” abscess. An abscess above the levator ani (ie, supralevator abscess) is quite deep and may extend to the peritoneum or abdominal organs; this abscess often results from diverticulitis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Crohn's disease (especially of the colon) sometimes causes anorectal abscess. A mixed infection usually occurs, with Escherichia coli , Proteus vulgaris , Bacteroides , streptococci, and staphylococci predominating.

Symptoms and Signs

Superficial abscesses can be very painful; perianal swelling, redness, and tenderness are characteristic.

Deeper abscesses may be less painful but cause toxic symptoms (eg, fever, chills, malaise). There may be no perianal findings, but digital rectal examination may reveal a tender, fluctuant swelling of the rectal wall. High pelvirectal abscesses may cause lower abdominal pain and fever without rectal symptoms. Sometimes fever is the only symptom.

Diagnosis

• Clinical evaluation
• Rarely examination under anesthesia or CT

Patients who have a pointing cutaneous abscess, a normal digital rectal examination, and no signs of systemic illness do not require imaging. Those with any findings suggestive of a deeper abscess or complex perianal Crohn's disease should have an examination under anesthesia at the time of drainage. Higher (supralevator) abscesses require CT to determine the intra-abdominal source of sepsis.

Treatment

• Incision and drainage
• Antibiotics for high-risk patients

Prompt incision and adequate drainage are required and should not wait until the abscess points. Many abscesses can be drained as an in-office procedure; deeper abscesses may require drainage in the operating room. Febrile, neutropenic, or diabetic patients or those with marked cellulitis should also receive antibiotics (eg, ciprofloxacinSome Trade Names
CILOXAN
CIPRO
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500 mg IV q 12 h and metronidazoleSome Trade Names
FLAGYL
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500 mg IV q 8 h, ampicillin/sulbactamSome Trade Names
UNASYN
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1.5 g IV q 8 h). Antibiotics are not indicated for healthy patients with superficial abscesses. Anorectal fistulas may develop after drainage.

Key Points

• Anorectal abscesses may be superficial or deep.
• Superficial abscesses may be diagnosed clinically and drained in the office or emergency department.
• Deep abscesses often require examination under anesthesia and/or imaging and typically must be drained in the operating room.
• Immunocompromised patients and those with deep abscesses should receive antibiotics.

Last full review/revision July 2012 by Parswa Ansari, MD

Content last modified July 2012