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Laryngoscope 2021 Jun 10. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.

Objectives: There are three surgical treatment options for patients with peritonsillar abscess (PTA): needle aspiration, incision and drainage (ID), and abscess tonsillectomy (ATE). The updated German national guideline (2015) included changes in the treatment of PTA. The indication for tonsillectomy (TE) in patients became more stringent and preference was given to ID in certain cases. Read More

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2021 May 12:34894211015590. Epub 2021 May 12.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.

Objective: To evaluate the success of sole medical therapy (MT) versus surgical therapy (ST) in patients with both clinically and radiographically confirmed peritonsillar abscess (PTA). To also determine treatment safety based on abscess size, and identify predictors of treatment failure.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort of 3 hospitals in a single academic health system. Read More

Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2021 Apr 11;6(2):183-187. Epub 2021 Mar 11.

Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery University of Toronto Toronto Canada.

Objective: There are no consensus guidelines for managing peritonsillar abscess (PTA) despite its prevalence. In order to devise best practice guidelines, current practice patterns must first be established.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, surveying Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery trainees (residents and fellows) and consultant (academic and community). Read More

Medwave 2021 Jan 8;21(1):e8098. Epub 2021 Jan 8.

Departamento Otorrinolaringología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile. ORCID: 000-0002-1775-0057.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, has become a global pandemic. Given that the highest viral load of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is found in the airway, otolaryngologists are at high risk of infection. As a result, multiple recommendations have emerged regarding protective measures for surgical teams, including suspending non-urgent procedures and surgeries. Read More

J Laryngol Otol 2021 Feb 18;135(2):176-178. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, Heartlands Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

Background: Peritonsillar abscess, or quinsy, is one of the most common emergency presentations to ENT departments, and is the most common deep tissue infection of the head and neck. In the UK, junior members of the ENT team are regularly required to independently assess, diagnose and treat patients with peritonsillar aspiration or incision and drainage.

Issue: Inexperienced practitioners can stumble at several obstacles: poor access due to trismus; poor lighting; difficulty in learning the therapeutic procedure; and difficulty in accurately documenting findings and treatment. Read More

Am J Otolaryngol 2021 Feb 5;42(4):102954. Epub 2021 Feb 5.

Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, 300 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, United States of America. Electronic address:

Purpose: Compare the use of medical therapy alone (MTA) with surgical therapy (ST) for the empiric treatment of peritonsillar abscess (PTA).

Materials And Methods: A consecutive cohort of patients treated for PTA at our institution from May 2013 to February 2019 was analyzed. Demographics, disease characteristics, management strategies, and treatment outcomes were compared between treatment groups. Read More

Pediatr Transplant 2021 Jan 23:e13853. Epub 2021 Jan 23.

Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.

Invasive fungal disease of the head and neck is a potentially fatal infection most commonly seen in immunocompromised patients. Even in the setting of combined surgical and medical treatment, prognosis is generally poor. We report the first pediatric case of invasive fungal pharyngitis and summarize a review of the literature. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Jan 11;14(1). Epub 2021 Jan 11.

Department of ENT-Otology, Neurotology & Cochlear Implant Unit, Christian Medical College and Hospital Vellore, Vellore, India.

A 42-year-old woman presented with fever, left ear pain, restricted mouth opening, difficulty in swallowing and inability to open her left eyelid for a period of 10 days. She was treated with antibiotics for the same at a local medical facility; however, a sudden decrease in her left eye vision prompted her to visit our tertiary centre. Her history was insignificant except for having multiple left ear syringing for an insect removal 10 days before onset of her current symptoms. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2021 Jan 9;78:151-154. Epub 2020 Dec 9.

ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital August 20, 1953, Ibn Rochd Teaching Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco. Electronic address:

Introduction: Lemierre's syndrome is a rare and potentially fatal entity characterized by the spread of an oropharyngeal infection, with secondary suppurative thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and septic emboli.

Presentation Of Case: We discuss the case of a 52-year-old male who developed Lemierre's syndrome following peritonsillar abscess. He presented with submandibular and submental swelling extending into the neck. Read More

J Emerg Med 2021 Mar 6;60(3):310-320. Epub 2020 Dec 6.

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

Background: Abscesses are commonly evaluated and managed in the emergency department. Recent research has evaluated the use of ultrasonography, packing, incision and drainage (I&D), and antibiotics. There are evidence-based nuances to the management of specific types of abscesses, such as Bartholin, breast, dental, hidradenitis suppurativa, peritonsillar, and pilonidal abscesses. Read More

Clin Otolaryngol 2020 Dec 2. Epub 2020 Dec 2.

Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.

Objectives: To report changes in practice brought about by COVID-19 and the implementation of new guidelines for the management of tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess (PTA), and to explore factors relating to unscheduled re-presentations for patients discharged from the emergency department (ED).

Design: Prospective multicentre national audit over 12 weeks from 6th April 2020.

Setting: UK secondary care ENT departments. Read More

Clin Otolaryngol 2021 Jan 9;46(1):79-83. Epub 2020 Oct 9.

ENT Department, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK.

BMJ Case Rep 2020 Sep 7;13(9). Epub 2020 Sep 7.

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Transoral drainage of peritonsillar abscess during the COVID-19 pandemic is a high-risk procedure due to potential aerosolisation of SARS-CoV-2. This case describes conservative management of peritonsillar abscess in a 21-year-old male with COVID-19. Read More

J Surg Case Rep 2020 Aug 24;2020(8):rjaa112. Epub 2020 Aug 24.

Otorhinolaryngology Department, Alhada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia.

While peritonsillar abscesses are the most common deep neck infections, bilateral forms are rare. A peritonsillar abscess occurs when pus accumulates in the peritonsillar space, located between the tonsils and superior constrictor muscle, causing medial displacement of the uvula, trismus, odynophagia or even upper airway obstruction. High clinical suspicion is needed to diagnose bilateral peritonsillar abscess due to frequent history, computerized tomography scan of the neck with IV contrast facilitates accurate diagnose and a full assessment of the patient. Read More

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020 10;146(10):909-913

Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington.

Importance: Telemedicine is rapidly gaining traction as a way to reduce costs and connect patients with medical experts outside their local communities. Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a logical pathologic condition to evaluate for effectiveness of remote diagnosis given its prevalence and the paucity of on-site otolaryngologists at many institutions.

Objective: To explore the potential of otolaryngology telemedical consultation in triaging and diagnosing patients with suspected PTA. Read More

Am J Otolaryngol 2020 Nov - Dec;41(6):102659. Epub 2020 Aug 8.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sion Hospital, Switzerland.

Objectives: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a very common infection, in particular in pediatric and adolescent population. A distinction between peritonsillar cellulitis and abscess should be made to determine the appropriate treatment. Nonetheless, the difference cannot always be made on physical examination alone and often requires imaging by computed tomography (CT). Read More

Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2020 Jul 30;19(1):32. Epub 2020 Jul 30.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99 Aarhus N, Aarhus, 8200, Denmark.

Background: The vast majority of patients with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) recover uneventfully on abscess drainage and antibiotic therapy. However, occasionally patient´s condition deteriorates as the infection spread in the upper airway mucosa, through cervical tissues, or hematogenously. The bacterial etiology of PTA is unclarified and the preferred antimicrobial regimen remains controversial. Read More

Auris Nasus Larynx 2020 Dec 21;47(6):1027-1032. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Gulhane Medical School, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ankara, Turkey.

Objective: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is one of the most commonly seen ear nose and throat (ENT) emergencies. The most catastrophic complication that may occur due to surgical treatment of PTA is injury of internal carotid artery. The aim of this study is to determine distance and angle between PTA with ICA; and to prevent possible complications. Read More

Auris Nasus Larynx 2020 Jun 11. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Department of Anaesthesiology and intensive care, University Hospital Centre Split, Split, Croatia; University of Split, School of Medicine, Soltanska 2, Split, Croatia.

Migratory foreign body appeared to be bird feather, caused peritonsillar and periparotid abscess in a nine-month-old infant. Patient presented painful, tender and fluctuating red neck mass on the left neck region II, and refusal of oral intake, with no fever. Azithromycin was introduced four days before presentation for suspected urinary tract infection. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020 Nov 2;163(5):915-922. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Objective: Peritonsillar abscesses (PTAs) are common emergency consultations for otolaryngologists. Medical management alone may offer satisfactory treatment without the risk associated with surgical drainage. Therefore, we performed a systematic review of medical treatment alone compared to surgical drainage for the treatment of PTA. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020 Aug 15;135:110115. Epub 2020 May 15.

Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Introduction: Peritonsillar (PT), parapharyngeal (PP), and retropharyngeal (RP) abscesses are common pediatric deep neck space infections (DNSI). Despite established literature on DNSI microbiology, obtaining intraoperative cultures remains commonplace. The objective was to evaluate the resource utilization of intraoperative cultures when draining PT, PP, and RP abscesses. Read More

World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019 Dec 18;5(4):207-214. Epub 2019 Oct 18.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital De Braga, Portugal.

Objective: Deep neck infections (DNI) are responsible for significant morbidity in children and healthcare expenditures. Few studies exist specifically addressing the clinical and epidemiologic characterization and management of DNI's in the pediatric population. Our goal was to analyse the demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of peritonsillar and DNI in pediatric patients. Read More

Laryngoscope 2020 12 10;130(12):2833-2838. Epub 2020 Feb 10.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Republic of Korea.

Objectives/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship among smoking, alcohol consumption, and peritonsillar abscess in a Korean population.

Study Design: Individuals ≥40 years old from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort were assessed from 2002 to 2013.

Methods: In total, 1,285 peritonsillar abscess participants were matched with 5,140 controls at a ratio of 1:4 with respect to age group, sex, income group, region of residence, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Read More

Ochsner J 2019 ;19(4):309-313

Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA.

Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common occurrence in adult patients, and an important question in such often-seen disease processes is whether we are treating these patients effectively, efficiently, and economically. We sought to determine if a diagnostic computed tomography (CT) scan was associated with a difference in clinical intervention in adult patients with PTA and if CT was associated with delaying this intervention. We conducted a retrospective case-control study examining therapeutic interventions in adults with PTA. Read More

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2019 Dec;54(12):919-923

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China.

To explore the clinical manifestation and treatment strategy for descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM). A total of 27 cases diagnosed as DNM from January 2010 to August 2018 in the First People's Hospital of Foshan were reviewed. There were 16 males and 11 females, age ranged from 16 to 84 years. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020 02 20;277(2):647-648. Epub 2019 Dec 20.

Service D'ORL Et de Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, CHU de Toulouse, hôpital Larrey, 24, chemin de Pouvourville, TSA 30030, 31059, Toulouse cedex 9, France.

We welcome the opportunity to continue the discussion and to clarify issues you raised in your letter. You will find enclosed a point-by-point response to your comments. Please note that all of these points are already discussed in the "discussion" section of our article "Comparison of needle aspiration versus incision and drainage under local anaesthesia for the initial treatment of peritonsillar abscess". Read More

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2020 Jan 15;28(1):29-32. Epub 2019 Dec 15.

Department of Surgery, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Vestn Otorinolaringol 2019 ;84(5):32-37

The Sverzhevskiy's Otorhinolaryngology Healthcare Research Institute, Moscow, Russia, 117152.

The authors studied the reporting documentation of otorhinolaryngological hospitals of the city of Moscow on the surgical treatment of pharyngeal pathology in adults from 2002 to 2017. It was found that for 16 years surgical treatment of 290 362 patients with ENT-diseases was performed: 181.206 (62. Read More

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2020 Apr 24;129(4):376-379. Epub 2019 Nov 24.

Department of Otolaryngology, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.

Objectives: Assess the outcome of Intravenous (IV) dexamethasone in the treatment of pediatric deep neck space infections (DNSI) in combination with IV antibiotics.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients admitted for a DNSI from March 2014 to June 2016. Patient characteristics including demographics, abscess type, antibiotic, dexamethasone, surgery, culture, and length of stay (LOS) were obtained. Read More

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019 Oct 21;71(Suppl 1):912-917. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Deep neck space infections (DNSI) are serious diseases that involve several spaces in the neck. These are commonly seen in low socioeconomic group with poor oral hygiene, and nutritional disorders. These are bacterial infections originating from the upper aerodigestive tract. Read More