Snapshot A 41-year-old man presents to the emergency department with 2 days of worsening fever and severe pain in his rectum, worse with defecation. His medical history is significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus and morbid obesity. On physical exam, he has a fever of 39°C and a warm, fluctuant 2-cm mass is palpated immediately adjacent to the anus with surrounding cellulitis. Incision and drainage is performed at the bedside, and the patient is discharged with a course of oral ciprofloxacin and metronidazole. Introduction Clinical definition login to view 1 more bullet Genetics login to view 2 more bullets Associated conditions login to view 2 more bullets Epidemiology Demographics login to view 4 more bullets Risk factors login to view 4 more bullets ETIOLOGY Pathogenesis login to view 2 more bullets Presentation Symptoms login to view 4 more bullets Physical exam login to view 4 more bullets imaging Generally not required for the diagnosis of anorectal abscesses login to view 2 more bullets No clear first-line among the following modalities login to view 3 more bullets Studies Diagnostic testing login to view 4 more bullets Differential Anal fissure login to view 2 more bullets Hemorrhoids login to view 2 more bullets Pilonidal abscess login to view 2 more bullets Treatment First-line login to view 4 more bullets Other treatments login to view 13 more bullets Complications Anorectal fistula/fistula-in-ano login to view 2 more bullets Recurrent abscess Sepsis