EMBOLIC ABSCESS Meaning and
Definition
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Embolic abscess is a medical term used to describe the formation of an abscess caused by the spread of a blood clot (embolus) to a specific site within the body. An embolus is a detached clot that travels through the bloodstream and becomes lodged in a blood vessel, obstructing the normal blood flow to the affected area. When an embolus lodges in a blood vessel supplying an organ or tissue, it can lead to tissue death (necrosis) and the subsequent development of an abscess.
An abscess is a localized collection of pus, which is a thick, yellowish fluid composed of dead cells, bacteria, and tissue debris, that accumulates in response to an infection. Embolic abscesses tend to occur in organs that are highly vascularized, such as the brain, lungs, liver, or kidneys.
Common symptoms of an embolic abscess may include pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and tenderness in the affected area. Additionally, individuals may experience fever, chills, fatigue, and other systemic signs of infection.
Diagnosis of an embolic abscess typically involves a combination of medical history evaluation, physical examination, and medical imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatment usually involves a combination of antibiotics to eliminate the infection, surgical drainage of the abscess, and in some cases, the removal of the embolus causing the abscess.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment of embolic abscesses are crucial to avoid potential complications, such as sepsis, spreading of the infection to other organs, or organ dysfunction.
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Metastatic a., a suppurative focus established at the point of arrest of a septic embolus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EMBOLIC ABSCESS
- e mbolic abscess
- em bolic abscess
- emb olic abscess
- embo lic abscess
- embol ic abscess
- emboli c abscess
- embolic a bscess
- embolic ab scess
- embolic abs cess
- embolic absc ess
- embolic absce ss
- embolic absces s
Etymology of EMBOLIC ABSCESS
The word "embolic" is derived from the Greek word "embole", which means "something thrown in" or "something cast in". In medicine, it refers to the movement or lodging of an embolus, which is typically a blood clot, fat, air, or foreign material that travels through the bloodstream and blocks a vessel.
The term "abscess" comes from the Latin word "abscessus", which means "a going away" or "a gathering of pus". It refers to a localized collection of pus that forms as a result of infection or inflammation.
When these two terms are combined, "embolic abscess" refers to an abscess that develops as a result of an embolus lodging in a blood vessel and causing infection or inflammation.
