Anorectal Abscess

Anorectal Abscess

An anorectal abscess (also called a perianal  is a pus-filled cavity adjacent to the anus which is caused by bacterial infection.

They are usually caused by an abnormal concentration of bacteria in one part of the anus or anal canal. Bacterial infection of a gland within the anus causes the build-up of pus, leading to the formation of an abscess.

Symptoms and diagnosis

The most common symptom of anorectal abscess is pain in the anal region. The pain may be dull or throbbing, and peaks when the patient sits or has a bowel movement.

Other signs of anorectal abscess include constipation and significant fluctuations in body temperature.

Anorectal abscess can be diagnosed with physical and imaging examinations.

Treatment

Antibiotics alone are usually ineffective against anorectal abscesses, and are therefore used to supplement surgical treatment.

The abscess is cut open and the pus drained completely. An untreated or partially-drained abscess is prone to further infection, and can spread to other areas.

Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:

Strychnos Nux-Vomica (Maqianzi, Poison Nut) [1, 2, 3, 4]:

WARNING! This substance is HIGHLY POISONOUS. The seeds contain Strychnine, which may cause convulsions, breathing difficulties and death, even if as little as 5 milligrams is ingested.

Recommendation: Strongly against (There is no evidence in the form of clinical trials which reports the effectiveness of Strychnos Nux-Vomica, because it is highly poisonous to humans, and is not recommended.)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

* www.gradeworkinggroup.org

Summary References

Treatments:

1. Ades T, Alteri R, Gansler T, Yeargin P, "Complete Guide to Complimentary & Alternative Cancer Therapies", American Cancer Society, Atlanta USA, 2009

2. David Michael Wood et al. Case report: Survival after deliberate strychnine self-poisoning, with toxicokinetic data. Critical Care October 2002 Vol 6 No 5

3. Arnold, M.D., Harry L. (1968). Poisonous Plants of Hawaii. Tokyo, Japan: Charles E. Tuttle Co.. p. 20. ISBN 0804804745.

4. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/strychnos-nux-vomica

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