What Causes A Pus Filled Cyst On The Inner Leg?

Posted on Thu, 11 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 Answered on

Fri, 15 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a nodule on the inside of my leg like a cyst that leaks pus if squeezed. I've had it before but this time the puss has a smell like a bowel movement. Is this serious? I have also had polionidal cysts before on my back but nothing that formed a nodule. Nothing visible on outside of skin but you can feel a hard mass directly below the skin.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As it is draining foul-smelling pus, better to get it incised and drained

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. This could quite possibly be an abscess which is usually a self-resolving condition, but as it has recurred in the exact same location (is that correct sir?), you may require either of the 2 listed treatment approaches or both:

1. Antibiotic coverage

2. Incision and Drainage (a.k.a. I&D): This is an outpatient procedure which involves a small incision to be made above the abscess, drain it well enough, rinse and wash it well enough with solutions (e.g. hydrogen peroxide and chlorhexidine), and then close the region and prescribe antibiotics for at least 10-14 days

As the region is draining fowl-smelling pus I would recommend a doctors visit if that causes no inconvenience for you sir. Also as it will not take more than 30 minutes for the I&D itself, and this procedure, if done well enough can prevent future recurrences in the same region.

I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar