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Carbuncle in Adult
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Carbuncle in Adult

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Contributors: Noah Craft MD, PhD, Lindy P. Fox MD, Lowell A. Goldsmith MD, MPH
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Synopsis

Carbuncle : Erythema, Furuncle, Painful skin lesions
A carbuncle is a bacterial infection resulting from staphylococcal bacteria. This condition is the result of several furuncles (staphylococcal abscesses) occurring in the same area, enlarging into a multi-headed giant furuncle (boil). Alcohol use disorder, malnutrition, impaired circulation, diabetes mellitus, and other forms of immunosuppression predispose an individual to infection. Symptomatic relief is provided by warm compresses. Antibiotics are used to clear the infection.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) first emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen in the 1960s. In more recent years, community acquired outbreaks of MRSA have been described increasingly among prisoners, military recruits, athletes, intravenous (IV) drug users, and men who have sex with men. Community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) has also been identified in otherwise healthy individuals lacking these risk factors. In a recent study of emergency room visits for purulent skin and soft tissue infections, MRSA was identified as the etiologic agent in the majority (59%) of cases. Furthermore, this study determined that 57% of patients with MRSA did not receive the appropriate initial antibiotic therapy.

Codes

ICD10CM:
L02.93 – Carbuncle, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
416893007 – Carbuncle

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

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Therapy

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References

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Last Updated:10/23/2018
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Carbuncle in Adult
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A medical illustration showing key findings of Carbuncle : Erythema, Furuncle, Painful skin lesions
Clinical image of Carbuncle - imageId=235068. Click to open in gallery. caption: 'A pink nodule with a central crust behind the ear.'
A pink nodule with a central crust behind the ear.

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