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Peritonsillar Abscess, Pediatric

Nicholas Tsarouhas, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Infectious complication of tonsillitis or pharyngitis resulting in an accumulation of purulence in the tonsillar fossa; also referred to as “quinsy” 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

  • Most common deep spac...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Fever and sore throat

    • Most common initial complaints

  • Trouble swallowing, pain with opening the mouth (trismus), muffled (“hot potato”) voice

    • Classic presenting symptoms

  • Unilateral neck or...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Treating an abscess without surgical drainage is inadequate and can have airway-threatening implications. 
  • Abscesses should be urgently/emergently drained via either needle as...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Patients may be discharged on oral antibiotics to complete a 10- to 14-day course when afebrile and peritonsillar swelling has subsided.

  • Recurrent peritonsillar ab...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Chung JH, Lee YC, Shin SY, et al. Risk factors for recurrence of peritonsillar abscess. J Laryngol Otol.  2014;128(12):1084–1088. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • ENT Trainee Res...

CODES

ICD9

475 Peritonsillar abscess 

ICD10

J36 Peritonsillar abscess 

SNOMED

15033003 Peritonsillar abscess (disorder) 

FAQ

  • Q: Are radiographs necessary to make the diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess?

  • A: No. The physical examination is diagnostic. A lateral neck radiograph, ultrasound, CT, or MRI is indicated only if th...

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