Skin lesion aspiration

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Skin lesion aspiration

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 a special laboratory dish (called a culture medium), where it will be watched for the growth of microorganisms.

There is no special preparation for this test.

If the abscess is deep, the health care provider may inject a numbing medicine (anesthetic) into the skin before inserting the needle.

You may feel a pricking sensation as the needle enters the skin.

In many cases, the removal of fluid will decrease the pressure within the irritates skin sore, and relieve your pain.

This test is used to help determine the cause of a fluid-filled skin lesion. It can be used to diagnose skin infections.

Review Date: 10/10/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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