Carbuncle in Adult
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
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 department 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
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Dermatophyte infections such as tinea barbae, kerions, or Majocchi granuloma can mimic a carbuncle.
- Furuncle
- Abscess
- Actinomycosis typically occurs in the neck region.
- Atypical mycobacteria or sporotrichosis can occur as indurated pustular plaques.
- Inflamed or infected epidermoid cyst
- Medium vessel vasculitides may present with tender nodules; livedo reticularis or livedo racemosa may also be seen.
- Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp
- Acne keloidalis nuchae
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- Pilonidal abscess
- Intraoral squamous cell carcinoma can mimic a carbuncle and should be considered if not responding to appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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References
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Last Reviewed:03/19/2023
Last Updated:03/26/2023
Last Updated:03/26/2023
Carbuncle in Adult