What is Phlegmon?
Overview
Phlegmon is an inflammation of the soft tissue that develops beneath the skin or within the body. It is usually caused by infection and can produce pus. Phlegmon is a Greek term that means inflammation or swelling.
Phlegmon can cause damage to internal organs like your tonsils and appendix. It can also be found under your skin, from your fingers to your feet. Phlegmon can quickly spread. Sometimes, Phlegmon may be fatal.
Phlegmon and Abscess
This is the difference between Phlegmon or abscess:
- Phlegmon has no boundaries and can spread along connective tissue or muscle fibres.
- An abscess can be walled and restricted to the area infected.
Sometimes, it can be hard to tell the difference between Phlegmon and abscess. Sometimes, Phlegmon can occur when infected material from an abscess buries itself and spreads.
An abscess can usually be removed from the infected fluid. Phlegmon is difficult to drain.
What causes Phlegmon in the body?
Bacteria can cause Phlegmon. Most often, it is caused by group A streptococcus and Staphylococcus Aureus.
- Bacteria can enter your body through a scratch, an insect bite, or injury. It may form a phlegmon under your skin on your fingers or feet.
- Many dental procedures can lead to an abscess or oral Phlegmon from bacteria in the mouth.
- Bacteria can attach to an internal organ, such as the stomach wall and appendix, and form Phlegmon.
People with compromised immune systems could be particularly vulnerable to phlegmon formation.
What are the symptoms?
Phlegmon’s symptoms can vary depending on where and how severe the infection is. An infection not treated promptly can spread to deeper tissues and cause permanent disability to the affected limb.
Skin phlegmon
Skin phlegmon could be:
- Red
- Sore
- swollen
- It is painful
Systemic signs and symptoms of a bacterial infection may also be present, such as:
- swollen lymph glands
- Fatigue
- Fièvre
- Kopfschmerz
Internal organs and Phlegmon
Phlegmon can attack any internal organ. The symptoms of Phlegmon depend on the specific bacteria and the organ affected.
These are the most common symptoms:
- Pain
- Disruption of organ function
Some symptoms that are specific to a particular location may include:
Intestinal tract
- Abdominal pain
- Fièvre
- nausea
- vomiting
Appendix
- Pain
- Fièvre
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- intestinal blockage
Eye
- Pain
- Floaters
- Disrupted vision
- Flu-like symptoms
The mouth floor (also known as Ludwig’s angina).
- Dental pain
- Fatigue
- Ear pain
- There is confusion
- Swelling of neck and tongue
- Trouble breathing
Pancreas
- Fièvre
- Increase in white blood cell count (leukocytosis).
- Increased blood levels of amylase (a pancreatic enzyme).
- severe stomach pain
- , nausea and vomiting
Tonsils
- Fièvre
- Sore throat
- Speaking with difficulty
- hoarseness
How can Phlegmon be diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and when they began. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, including any medications or diseases you might have. They will also perform a physical exam.
The skin phlegmons are easily visible. It is more difficult to diagnose internal phlegmons. Your doctor will look for tenderness or lumps in the area where you are experiencing pain. You may also be ordered to perform tests such as:
- blood workup
- Analyse of urine
- ultrasound
- X-ray
- MRI
- CT scan
Your doctor may recommend intravenous gadolinium and MRI to distinguish between cellulitis, abscess and Phlegmon.
To identify Phlegmon, contrast-enhanced ultrasound can be used.
How does this get treated?
The severity and location of the phlegmon infection will determine the treatment. Treatment for Phlegmon involves both surgery and antibiotics.
If skin phlegmon is not severe, it can be treated with oral antibiotics. Surgery may be necessary to remove dead tissue and prevent the infection from spreading.
Oral Phlegmon is a serious condition that can quickly spread and cause severe complications. Intubation (placement of a tube in the trachea) and aggressive early treatment with antibiotics are recommended. It is recommended to have surgery as soon as possible to drain the infection and stop its spread.
50% of people suffering from Phlegmon around the mouth died before antibiotics were invented.
