“Perirectal sepsis is a potentially severe complication which may follow minor anorectal
intervention and be slow to be diagnosed and treated. Awareness of the possible
diagnosis, urgent investigation with cross-sectional imaging and immediate treatment with
broad-spectrum antibiotics is vital. However, radical surgical intervention may be necessary.”

“The clinical picture is consistent with a spreading inflammatory process in soft
tissue commencing from the point of injury and presumably infective in origin but different to necrotising fasciitis, which spreads to involve superficial layers. Patients’ reaction to the same infective insult will differ”

“Although rare, perirectal sepsis is a potentially grave complication following minor anorectal procedures or trivial trauma. Presentation may be subtle and a history of severe perineal or pelvic pain should prompt urgent cross-sectional imaging.”

Aldouri AQ, Alexander DJ. Presentation and management of perirectal sepsis. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2008 Jul;90(5):W4-7. Free Full Text