Apostema (apostema; from ancient Greek ἀπόστημα - abscess, abscess) is a limited purulent inflammatory process in tissues with the formation of a cavity filled with pus.
Apostema can occur in various tissues and organs as a complication of inflammatory diseases. Most often, apostemes are formed during furunculosis, carbunculosis, soft tissue abscesses, lymphadenitis, osteomyelitis and other purulent-inflammatory processes.
Clinically, apostema is manifested by the appearance of a painful infiltrate in the tissues, which then softens, fluctuates and opens with the formation of a fistula and the release of pus.
Treatment of apostema includes surgical opening and drainage of the abscess, as well as antibacterial and detoxification therapy. Prevention consists of timely treatment of purulent-inflammatory diseases that cause the formation of apostemes.