Referral is indicated when a percutaneously placed drain and antibiotic therapy fail to resolve the abscess and/or the cause requires primary treatment. CT imaging should be done within 1-2 weeks of the clinic appointment.

Reports of any testing performed outside of the UMHS system and radiologic images on CD should be available for review at or before the time of the clinic visit. Additionally, operative notes from any related surgical procedures should be made available for review. Receiving these prior to the clinic visit is preferable.