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Case study:
A 38-year-old woman presented to ED with, ‘spots on abdomen’. This lady has no previous medical history, not taking any medications prescribed or over the counter, and has no known drug allergies. On consultation, the patient declared she had fat dissolving injections into her lower abdomen 18 days ago and has subsequently developed several hard abscesses. On abdominal examination, the patient had 4 erythematous, swollen lumps. On palpation, firm masses, hot and tender to touch with no pustule heads visible. The patient’s vital signs were all within normal parameters and she appeared systemically well.
The patient reported to have been given ‘Aqualyx’ brand of fat-dissolving injection and further disclosed that she had been to see a beautician with no medical background for this treatment.
The patient was diagnosed with abdominal abscesses post fat dissolving injections. Abscesses typically form when bacteria enter the skin, as more bacteria multiply the body naturally forms a wall around the area to stop the bacteria from spreading to other parts of the body. As the bacteria multiply in the pocket it becomes more swollen and more painful. Ordinarily, this patient would have been referred to the surgical team for management, however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK being in a national lockdown, operating theatres were only operating for life-threatening conditions, therefore surgical options were, unfortunately, unavailable to the patient at this point in time.
As the patient was systemically well and vital signs stable, the patient has discharged on Flucloxacillin 500mg QDS 7/7 as per local trust antimicrobial prescribing policy to cover gram-positive bacteria. The patient was further advised to apply heat and to observe good personal hygiene.
Robust safety netting advice was given prior to discharge and advised to return to ED should any red flags arise.
Fig 1