[Artificial pressure increase in subcutaneous abscess with evidence of general systemic reaction]

Abscess is customarily thought of as a collection of a large number of microorganisms, inflammatory cells and necrotic debris separated from the surrounding tissue by a fibrous capsule. Modern work focussed attention on more physico-chemical parameters in abscess pathogenesis. Recent experiences from animal models underline the impact of abscess pressure and bio-physicochemical parameters in the "abscess compartment" for systemic spreading. Artificial raising of abscess-pressure in pigs up to 80 mmHg was followed by increase of temperature and heartbeat rate and decrease of median arterial pressure. Elevated levels of TNF alpha, IL-1 and positive blood cultures support the theory of abscess pressure as a most important variable in abscess formation. We conclude that abscess pressure may play a pivotal role in systemic spreading of the primarily localized process.