Phlegmon

A phlegmon is a localized area of acute inflammation of the soft tissues. It is a descriptive term that can be used for inflammation caused by a bacterial infection or by non-infectious causes such as pancreatitis, and it is most commonly used in contrast to an abscess, which is a walled-off collection of pus. A phlegmon is inherently dangerous because it is diffuse and uncontained. If left untreated, the immune system may successfully localize it into an abscess, or it may spread rapidly and lead to extensive tissue destruction, gangrene and life-threatening systemic infection. It can occur anywhere in the body. The word comes from the Latin phlegmon, from the Ancient Greek verb phlego, meaning to burn.