Samuel’s Story: A deep perirectal abscess causing severe pressure without an obvious surface lump
A 45-year-old commercial construction estimator with diabetes looking for an explanation for constant worsening rectal pressure, severe pain with and between stools, fever, chills, and difficulty urinating
Samuel was a commercial construction estimator with diabetes whose first explanation was an internal hemorrhoid.
The decision changed when fever, urinary difficulty, and worsening pain continued between bowel movements. The combination of constant worsening rectal pressure, severe pain with and between stools, fever, chills, and difficulty urinating required a more specific evaluation.
The absence of an external lump did not exclude infection. Systemic signs and deep tenderness prompted urgent pelvic imaging and surgical evaluation, which identified a deep abscess.
The final plan used urgent surgical drainage, cultures when useful, antibiotics for systemic illness and diabetes, glucose control, and follow-up for fistula or recurrence. Follow-up measured safety, symptom resolution, objective recovery, and the risk of recurrence.
The pain was constant and systemic, so waiting for a visible lump would have delayed drainage.