 |
Skin lesion aspiration is the withdrawal of fluid from a skin lesion (sore).
A needle is inserted into a skin lesion or skin abscess, which may contain fluid or pus. The fluid may be examined under the microscope or placed in culture medium to observe for the growth of microorganisms.
There is no special preparation for this test.
If the abscess is deep, a local anesthetic may be injected into the skin to numb the area. There will be a pricking sensation as the needle enters the skin. In many cases, the removal of fluid will decrease the pressure within the tense, irritated lesion and relieve the pain.
This test is used to help determine the cause of a fluid-filled skin lesion. It can be used to diagnose skin infections.
The results may indicate a bacterial or fungal skin infection.
There is a slight risk of bleeding, mild pain, or infection.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. � 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.