Peritonsillar abscess
From IDWiki
Background
- Abscess between the capsule of the tonsil and the pharyngeal musculature
- Also known as a quinsy
Microbiology
- Oral flora (i.e. streptococci, staphylococci, and anaerobes)
Epidemiology
- All age groups
Clinical Manifestations
- Fever, malaise, sore throat, dysphagia
- May have ipsilateral ear pain
- Trismus, drooling
- Hot potato voice
- Cervical lymphadenopathy
- Displaced uvula
- Complications include Lemierre syndrome
Management
- Acute management may require airway protection
- Incision and drainage, sent for culture
- Antibiotics covering anaerobes, such as piperacillin-tazobactam or ampicillin-sulbactam
- Alternatives include clindamycin
