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Harley Street Medical District · London & St Albans
Private Abscess Ultrasound Scan
A private abscess ultrasound scan at London Private Ultrasound costs £199 for one area and £299 for two areas — all fees inclusive. No GP referral required. Same-day results. The scan confirms or excludes a pus collection, differentiates abscess from cellulitis, assesses size and depth, identifies loculation, and guides drainage planning.
This page covers soft tissue abscesses such as skin, breast, axilla, perianal and limb collections. For liver, kidney, pelvic or intra-abdominal abscess assessment, please book an abdominal ultrasound or pelvic ultrasound.
Quick, safe, and pain-free private Abscess Ultrasound to confirm whether a drainable pus collection is present and whether treatment is likely to involve drainage, antibiotics, further imaging or urgent referral.
- Same-Day Results
- No GP Referral
- CQC Registered
- One Area £199
- Two Areas £299
- 7 Days a Week
Abscess Ultrasound
Your Ultrasound Checks For
Every abscess ultrasound systematically evaluates the infected area and confirms whether a drainable collection is present.
- Abscess — pus collection confirmed or excluded
- Cellulitis — cobblestoning pattern assessment
- Abscess size — length, width and depth
- Wall — thin and regular vs thick and irregular
- Loculation — single or multilocular
- Internal echoes — pus debris characterisation
- Squish sign — fluid swirl under compression
- Doppler — peripheral hyperaemia
- Depth to skin — drainage feasibility
- Relationship to nearby vessels and structures
- Gas in soft tissues — emergency screen
- Foreign body as potential infection source
Available at Central London and St Albans. For urgent same-day appointments, call 020 7101 3377.
Book Your Abscess Scan£199
One area, all inclusive
Two areas: £299
Conditions Assessed
What ultrasound finds — and why it changes management
The key question is whether there is a pus collection needing drainage or cellulitis requiring antibiotics. Ultrasound helps answer this immediately.
Abscess types assessed
- Subcutaneous skin abscess A pus-filled cavity within the subcutaneous tissue, often requiring drainage rather than antibiotics alone.
- Infected sebaceous or epidermoid cyst Ultrasound distinguishes an infected cyst from a simple cyst or solid lump.
- Breast abscess Ultrasound confirms the collection, checks whether it is multiloculated, and supports aspiration planning.
- Pilonidal abscess Assessment of depth, extent and sinus tracts in the natal cleft region.
- Perianal soft tissue abscess Location and depth are assessed to guide appropriate referral and drainage planning.
- Axillary, groin and submandibular abscess Helps distinguish abscess from inflamed lymph node or hidradenitis-related collection.
Mimics and differential diagnoses
- Cellulitis without abscess Cobblestoning without a discrete collection means incision and drainage is unlikely to help.
- Lymphadenitis Inflamed lymph nodes can mimic abscess clinically and are distinguished by ultrasound architecture and Doppler pattern.
- Haematoma A traumatic blood collection can mimic abscess and is interpreted alongside the clinical history.
- Foreign body granuloma A retained splinter, glass fragment or thorn may be identified as the source of chronic infection.
- Necrotising fasciitis emergency screen Gas or dirty shadowing is concerning, but clinical red flags require immediate A&E even if ultrasound is not definitive.
Cellulitis vs Abscess: Why Ultrasound Matters
Clinical examination alone can be unreliable when swelling and induration are present. Ultrasound helps decide whether the priority is drainage, antibiotics, urgent referral or reassurance.
Abscess — drainage may be required
Discrete fluid cavity, internal echoes, thick or irregular wall, positive squish sign and peripheral Doppler hyperaemia.
Cellulitis — antibiotics only
No discrete collection. Diffuse cobblestoning, skin thickening and inflammatory change without a drainable pus cavity.
Go to A&E — do not book a scan
- Rapidly spreading redness within hours
- Severe pain out of proportion to appearance
- Fever, rigors, or feeling systemically unwell
- Black, purple or grey skin discolouration
- Skin that feels hard, wooden or crepitant
- Rapidly worsening despite antibiotics
- Tracking red lines from the infected area
- Confusion, rapid heart rate or low blood pressure
These may indicate necrotising fasciitis or severe spreading infection. Call 999 or attend your nearest A&E immediately.
Every Appointment
What’s Included
A complete soft tissue infection assessment with same-day results, management guidance and a written report.
No Referral Required
Book directly online or by phone without needing a GP referral.
Same-Day Results
You receive verbal findings on the day, including whether drainage is likely to be required.
Full Digital Report
A written report is emailed securely, usually the same day or within 24 hours.
High-Resolution Images
Images can be shared with your GP, practice nurse, surgeon or A&E team.
Drainage Guidance
If an abscess is confirmed, the report includes size, depth, loculation and guidance for drainage planning.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about your private abscess ultrasound at London Private Ultrasound.
What is an abscess and how does ultrasound diagnose it?
An abscess is a collection of pus enclosed within a soft tissue cavity. Ultrasound can show a fluid collection, internal debris, wall thickening, surrounding inflammation and the depth from the skin surface.
What is the difference between an abscess and cellulitis?
Cellulitis is infection of skin and soft tissue without a pus collection, usually treated with antibiotics. An abscess is a drainable pus collection that often requires drainage as well as antibiotics.
How much does a private abscess ultrasound cost?
One area costs £199 and two areas cost £299. The fee includes same-day verbal results and a written report within 24 hours.
Can ultrasound guide drainage of an abscess?
Yes. Ultrasound can identify the safest and most effective drainage route by measuring size, depth, loculation and nearby structures.
When should I go to A&E instead of booking?
Go to A&E immediately if you have fever, rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, black or purple skin changes, confusion, or signs of being very unwell.
Accreditations & Registrations
Registered & Regulated
Our team are fully registered and regulated for practice in the United Kingdom.
- Care Quality Commission
- General Medical Council
- HCPC Registered
- Society of Radiographers
- ICO Registered
- Harley Street Medical District
4.8Google Rating
1,200+Verified Reviews
35,000+Patients Served
2012Harley Street Est.
Digital Results
Same-Day Answers and Shareable Reports
You receive clear verbal findings on the day, plus a written report and images that can be shared with your GP, nurse, surgeon or emergency team.
Clear abscess characterisation
Size, depth, loculation, wall appearance and surrounding inflammation are documented.
Drainage planning support
The report helps the treating clinician decide the most appropriate approach and setting.
Suitable for NHS or private follow-up
Your report can be used for referral, urgent escalation or ongoing management.
Book Online
Book Your Abscess Scan Appointment
Use the secure booking calendar to select your preferred clinic, date and time. For same-day urgent appointments, call 020 7101 3377. If you have fever, rapidly spreading redness or severe pain, attend A&E immediately instead of booking a scan.
Live booking calendarSecure online booking
Get In Touch
Here To Help
Three ways to book your private abscess scan or check whether this scan is right for your situation.
Book Online
Use the booking calendar above to choose your appointment.
Book your abscess scan onlineCall for Urgent Appointments
Not sure if you need a scan or A&E? Our team can advise during opening hours.
020 7101 3377Send a Message
Have a question about whether this scan covers your specific area of infection?
[email protected]
Your MSK Team
Meet Our Musculoskeletal Specialists
A consultant-led team combining surgical expertise, MSK clinical specialism, advanced ultrasound consultancy, and primary care integration.
Principal Consultant
Mr Peyman Bakhshayesh
Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic SurgeonMD · PhD · MBA · Multi-joint specialist with over 29 years’ national and international experience. Clinical Lead for General Trauma at Leeds General Infirmary. Specialist in regenerative medicine, PRP, BMAC therapy, and ultrasound-guided procedures.
Mr Paul Watson
Lead MSK Consultant ClinicianNMP · DipMSK · DFSEM · CSP · PgCert · HCPC: PH105122 · Specialist in MSK ultrasound assessment and ultrasound-guided injection therapy
Mr Pedram M. Aghaei
Ultrasound ConsultantMD · Clinical Vascular Scientist · BMUS: 20702 · SVT: 679 · SOR: 93290 · Medical ultrasound specialist with extensive MSK and Doppler imaging expertise
Dr Reza Salehi
Medical DoctorMD · Medical doctor with special interest in Radiology and musculoskeletal imaging
Dr Adil Naeem
Medical DoctorMD · Medical doctor with special interest in Radiology and musculoskeletal imaging
Dr Babak Soleimanpour
Specialist DoctorMD · MRCGP · DRCOG · GMC: 6060555 · General medical and ultrasound-guided injection specialist, integrated MSK consultations