Definition: An infection-associated collection of pus enclosed in an area such as the abdomen or pelvis. These collections can be within an organ, within body tissues or between areas, such as the intestinal segments.
Abscesses can produce high fevers and systemic infection (sepsis) when bacteria from the abscess get into the bloodstream. When not treated with antibiotics and/or drained, abscesses can lead to overwhelming infection and death.
Pronunciation: AB-sehs
Also Known As: pus pocket
Common Misspellings: absess, abcess
Examples: After the ovarian cancer cytoreductive surgery, which included a bowel resection, she developed an abscess that required drainage.
