Abscess DDx

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2] Mahshid Mir, M.D. [3] For more information about abscess causes and types, click here

The following table summarizes differential diagnosis list for different abscesses in different body parts.

Abscess Common disease Less common disease Anal abscess Anal fissure Fistula in ano Proctatitis Hidradenitis suppurativa Bartholin's abscess Appendicular abscess Psoas abscess Cellulitis of right thigh Crohn's disease Gastroenteritis Primary peritonitis Ovarian torsion Pelvic inflammatory disease Brain abscess Metastatic tumors Lymphomas Subarachnoid hemorrhage Stroke Neurosyphilis Subdural empyema Breast Abscess Mastitis Inflammatory breast cancer Galactocele Cellulitis Fibroadenoma Colonic abscess Crohn's disease Gastroenteritis Primary peritonitis Pelvic inflammatory disease Cutaneous abscess Folliculitis Suppurative hydradenitis Epidermoid cyst Nodular lymphangitis Myiasis Liver abscess Echinococcal (hydatid) cyst Malignancy (Hepatocellular carcinoma/Metastasis) -- Lung Abscess Malignancy (primary lung cancer) Pulmonary Tuberculosis Necrotizing Pneumonia Empyema Bronchiectasis Sarcoidosis Pancreatic abscess Infected pancreatic pseudocyst Infected necrotic pancreas Retropharyngeal abscess Peritonsillar abscess Croup Epiglottitis Pharyngitis Tonsilitis Splenic abscess Splenic cysts Splenic infarct Splenic hematomas Subphrenic abscess Tonsillar and peritonsillar abscess Croup Epiglottitis Tonsilitis Pharyngitis Retropharyngeal abscess