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Clin Case Rep 2019 Apr 19;7(4):839-840. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Neurology St. Marianna University School of Medicine Kawasaki Japan.

Puncture drainage is usually needed to treat peritonsillar abscess. However, inadvertent carotid artery puncture may result in devastating complications. Preoperative transoral carotid ultrasonography (TOCU) is useful to delineate the anatomical relationship between the abscess and carotid artery. Read More

Laryngoscope 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Otolaryngology-Pediatric Otolaryngology Division, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Medical Center Dallas, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of the Children's Hospital Association's Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) registry data in determining surgical drainage rates as compared to a chart review on the same cohort of children with diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis.

Methods: Our analysis included 200 children, ages 2 to 17 years, treated for a peritonsillar abscess from 2011 to 2016. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019 Apr 1;160(4):706-711. Epub 2019 Jan 1.

2 Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Objective: To compare the efficacy, safety, and cost of incision and drainage (I&D) for pediatric patients with peritonsillar abscesses (PTAs) under conscious sedation (CS) versus unsedated (awake) and general anesthesia (GA).

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Tertiary pediatric hospital. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 Dec 24. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.

Objective: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common infectious complication of pharyngeal infection managed by otolaryngologists and emergency room physicians. Streptococcus and Fusobacterium (e.g. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 Dec 19. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.

Objectives/hypothesis: An uncommon phenomenon in relation to the peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is the intratonsillar abscess (ITA) or formation of an abscess within tonsillar parenchyma. This study sought to characterize our experience with diagnosis and management of ITAs in the context of the PTA patient population.

Study Design: Case-control series. Read More

J Emerg Med 2019 Jan 1;56(1):70-73. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Background: Parapharyngeal space abscesses (PPSA) are deep-space neck infections that are associated with significant morbidity and, rarely, mortality if not promptly diagnosed and treated. The diagnosis is often difficult, as the clinical presentation can mimic peritonsillar abscesses (PTA). Transoral point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) may be a useful tool to help distinguish PTAs from other deep-space infections such as PPSAs. Read More

Case Rep Otolaryngol 2018 27;2018:7307290. Epub 2018 Sep 27.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Deep neck abscess is a life-threatening infection that causes laryngeal edema and upper airway occlusion. The predominant bacterial species involved in this disorder is group A streptococcus. Group G streptococcus (GGS) constitutes the normal commensal flora of the human upper airway. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Nov 5;114:143-146. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Michigan Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.

Objective: To determine the incidence of intratonsillar abscess (ITA) patients within the population of patients diagnosed with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) and to further characterize the differences in symptomatology and successful treatment strategies between the two groups.

Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with PTA or ITA at our institution from 2000 to 2017. Descriptive and inferential statistics are reported, including univariate and multivariate analyses. Read More

Pediatr Emerg Care 2018 Sep;34(9):e161-e164

Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hamad Medical Corporation.

Neck abscesses such as retropharyngeal, peritonsilar, and lateral pharyngeal are well described, typically cause a characteristic illness, and have a known epidemiology. We present a rare occurrence of case of confluent, mixed retropharyngeal, lateral pharyngeal, and peritonsilar abscess in a 9-month-old female infant. The symptoms at presentation were very mild and not expected in association with this extensive an abscess. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2018 Aug 2;8(3). Epub 2018 Aug 2.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery & Audiology, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.

Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common complication to acute tonsillitis. The treatment is drainage of the abscess, but many needle aspirations are unsuccessful due to a low diagnostic accuracy based on oral examination only. In this article, we describe how intraoral ultrasound can be added to improve the diagnostic work-up of PTA and present a novel technique for ultrasound-guided aspiration of PTA, using a small pencil-shaped transducer. Read More

Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed 2018 Jul 31. Epub 2018 Jul 31.

Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Pamukkale University School of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey.

An 11-year-old boy was admitted with mildly painful swallowing. His parents mentioned he had had bad breath for 4 months. He had presented with the same complaint several times at medical centres, and some antibiotics and analgesics were given. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Sep 19;112:80-81. Epub 2018 Jun 19.

Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.

The disease of parapharyngeal abscess is well known to the otolaryngologist and is commonly managed via transoral, transcervical, or combined incision and drainage. We report a novel approach to an abscess that was drained through the external auditory canal (EAC). An otherwise healthy 2-year-old female presented with a 4-day history of fevers, decreased oral intake, neck stiffness, and voice changes. Read More

Malays Fam Physician 2018 30;13(1):41-44. Epub 2018 Apr 30.

MD, M.Med (ORL-HNS), Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.

Peritonsillar abscess, or quinsy, is a rare complication of acute tonsillitis. It usually presents with odynophagia, trismus, and muffled voice, reflecting the space-occupying lesion in the oral cavity. Examination reveals a unilateral swelling on either side of the soft palate, which drains thick pus after an incision is made. Read More

Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2017 Jun;31(11):879-880

Trop Doct 2018 Jul 14;48(3):179-182. Epub 2018 May 14.

4 Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Christian Medical College, Vellore.

In order to study the bacteriological profile, antibiotic sensitivity and outcome following empirical therapy with early generation antibiotics in patients with deep head and neck infection, a retrospective review of 42 patients admitted for drainage and intravenous antibiotic therapy was performed. Ludwig's angina was the commonest infection, with the most common organisms isolated being Group F ß-haemolytic (15%) and non-haemolytic (12.5%) streptococcus. Read More

Ann Ital Chir 2018 ;89:70-74

Necrotizing fasciitis is one of the most dangerous complication of an abscess and it is still a disease with a high mortality. In this work, we decided to consider two cases: the first one concerns a male subject, aged 66, deceased because of a fatal necrotizing fasciitis associated to a cervical descending mediastinitis, which evolved from a primary peritonsillar abscess; the second is about a 50-year-old woman with a perineal abscess, then evolved into necrotizing fasciitis associated to a fatal septis shock. After a systematic consideration of necrotizing fasciitis as pathology and an analysis of the possible related risks to a diagnostic or therapeutic delay, we analyzed the particular history of both cases to underline the possible critical issues in professional behavior of the medical staff intervened. Read More

Indian J Pediatr 2018 Oct 15;85(10):911-913. Epub 2018 Mar 15.

Department of ENT, Hindu Rao Hospital & North DMC Medical College, New Delhi, India.

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms are rare but important entity. Impending rupture of such aneurysms can lead to catastrophic hemorrhage, airway compromise and may prove fatal. The authors report a case of true aneurysm of cervical internal carotid artery in a four-year-old girl who presented with fever and swelling of neck and oropharynx. Read More

West J Emerg Med 2018 Jan 14;19(1):172-176. Epub 2017 Dec 14.

University of Arizona, Arizona Simulation Technology & Education Center, Tucson, Arizona.

Introduction: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is the most common deep space infection of the head and neck presenting to emergency departments.1 No commercial PTA task trainer exists for simulation training. Thus, resident physicians often perform their first PTA needle aspiration in the clinical setting, knowing that carotid artery puncture and hemorrhage are serious and devastating complications. Read More

Clin Otolaryngol 2018 06 19;43(3):940-944. Epub 2018 Feb 19.

Department of Surgery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Jan 17;2018. Epub 2018 Jan 17.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Derby, UK.

A 7-month-old boy presented to the emergency department with reduced oral intake, neck swelling and fever. Clinical examination revealed a 3 cm left parotid and left level I neck swelling with left medialised tonsil but no trismus. Computed imaging confirmed the presence of an abscess in the peritonsillar area with extension into the parapharyngeal space and deep lobe of the parotid gland. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018 02 7;158(2):280-286. Epub 2017 Nov 7.

1 Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, San Diego, California, USA.

Objective This study was performed to determine whether the efficacy and safety of medical management of uncomplicated peritonsillar abscess (PTA) presenting in the emergency department is equivalent to medical plus surgical therapy. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG). Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 04 8;128(4):783-784. Epub 2017 Oct 8.

Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A.

S D Med 2017 Jul;70(7):314-316

Department of Surgery, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine.

Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common pathology in otolaryngology emergency. The treatment of PTA is usually bedside drainage or surgical removal of the tonsils (Quincy tonsillectomy) in combination with antibiotic treatment. However, patients with immune suppression might have a more difficult treatment course. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2017 Aug 29;99:128-134. Epub 2017 May 29.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital de São João EPE, Porto, Portugal.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic clues, as biochemical parameters and imaging studies, of children with acute neck infections (ANI) to identify possible independent prognostic factors leading to complications and prolonged hospitalization.

Methods: Records of children admitted to a tertiary university hospital from January 2008 to December 2014 with a diagnosis of ANIs were reviewed retrospectively. Diseases were categorized according to the site of infection and patients were divided into two groups: children (aged<10 years) and adolescents (aged 10-18 years). Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 01 31;128(1):72-77. Epub 2017 May 31.

Norris Medical Library, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Objectives: This study systematically reviews the existing literature on the efficacy of adjuvant corticosteroids in improving clinical outcomes after peritonsillar abscess (PTA) drainage.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Methods: We performed a literature search of MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and ClinicalTrials. Read More

Laryngorhinootologie 2017 05 17;96(5):276-277. Epub 2017 May 17.

Laryngorhinootologie 2017 05 17;96(5):275-276. Epub 2017 May 17.

Auris Nasus Larynx 2018 Apr 1;45(2):291-294. Epub 2017 May 1.

Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objective: To investigate the effect of the single systemic use of corticosteroid following drainage procedure in patients with peritonsillar abscess (PTA).

Methods: This retrospective case-control trial included 32 patients with the diagnosis of PTA between December 2013 and January 2016 in our clinic. Patients were divided into two groups based on the approaches of two authors for the treatment after PTA drainage. Read More

Clin Otolaryngol 2017 Dec 25;42(6):1358-1362. Epub 2017 May 25.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.

Objectives: To compare the bacterial species and patient clinical features in peritonsillar abscesses between patients who had renewal (renewal group) and those who did not (recovery group).

Design: Prospective comparative aetiological study.

Setting: Tertiary referral centre. Read More

Am Fam Physician 2017 Apr;95(8):501-506

Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines, IA, USA.

Peritonsillar abscess is the most common deep infection of the head and neck, occurring primarily in young adults. Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of clinical presentation and examination. Symptoms and findings generally include fever, sore throat, dysphagia, trismus, and a "hot potato" voice. Read More

Dan Med J 2017 Mar;64(3)

PTA is a collection of pus located between the tonsillar capsule and the pharyngeal constrictor muscle. It is considered a complication of acute tonsillitis and is the most prevalent deep neck infection (approximately 2000 cases annually in Denmark) and cause of acute admission to Danish ENT departments. Teenagers and young adults are most commonly affected and males may predominate over females. Read More

Clin Pract 2017 Jan 12;7(1):928. Epub 2017 Jan 12.

Department of Internal Medicine, Crittenton Hospital, Rochester, MI; Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.

Liver abscesses are an uncommon disease that can present with vague symptoms. causing liver abscesses is a rare condition and only a few cases have been reported. An 88-year-old female presented to her primary care physician with one week of fevers, night sweats, chills, fatigue and vague right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Read More

Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017 Apr;25(2):163-168

The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.

Purpose Of Review: We outlined the management of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) through the use of ultrasound, an imaging modality that continues to emerge as a diverse diagnostic and treatment tool. Our review compares the use of ultrasound to alternative diagnostic modalities, particularly computed tomography (CT). Further, the review evaluates how ultrasound can be used to help facilitate guided drainage of PTA and serve as a suitable alternative to more invasive management options. Read More

Laryngoscope 2017 08 16;127(8):1924-1929. Epub 2017 Jan 16.

the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology , George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC.

Objectives: 1) To analyze clinical outcomes of children stratified by ultrasound into three diagnoses: acute tonsillitis, peritonsillar phlegmon, and abscess; and 2) To compare clinical outcomes and financial impact between children who underwent ultrasound protocol to those who did not.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis between two cohorts: ultrasound protocol group and control group.

Methods: Children with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) diagnosed in the emergency department (ED) were enrolled during a 2-year period for transcervical ultrasound evaluation of bilateral tonsillar fossae. Read More

North Clin Istanb 2015 25;2(3):222-226. Epub 2015 Dec 25.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.

Objective: Neck abscess is a disease that might cause mortality and severe morbidity, if it is not treated urgently. In our study, patients with diagnosis of neck abscess in our clinic were analyzed retrospectively and presented in the light of the literature.

Methods: In our clinic, age distribution, source of infection, systemic disease, imaging methods that were used in diagnosis, preferred anaesthesia during drainage, abscess sites, culture results of abscess material, complications during treatment procedure, any antibiotherapy before admission and duration of hospitalization of 79 cases with neck abscess who were treated in the hospital between January 2008 and January 2015 were assessed. Read More

GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2016 15;15:Doc08. Epub 2016 Dec 15.

Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Allergology, Kliniken Maria Hilf, Mönchengladbach, Germany.

Tonsillectomy rates vary considerably among different states, regions, and times. This study was conducted to identify the prevalence of "chronic" tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, hypertrophy of the tonsils with and without adenoids in absolute and relative numbers in an 80 million people nation. Moreover, the number and rates of different surgical procedures to resolve either "chronic" tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, or upper airway obstruction due to (adeno)tonsillar hypertrophy over several years was evaluated in this study (tonsillectomy, adenotonsillectomy, tonsillotomy, abscess tonsillectomy, transoral incision and drainage). Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016 12 23;12:CD006287. Epub 2016 Dec 23.

Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel St., 4th Floor Otolaryngology (ENT), Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Z 1M9.

Background: Peritonsillar abscess is a common infection presenting as a collection of pus in the peritonsillar area. The condition is characterised by a severe sore throat, difficulty in swallowing and pain on swallowing, fever and malaise, and trismus. Needle aspiration and incision and drainage are the two main treatment modalities currently used in the treatment of this condition. Read More

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2016 11;142(11):1051-1055

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ochsner Medical Center, Jefferson, Louisiana.

Importance: There is not a consensus on the best diagnostic algorithm for children with a potential peritonsillar abscess. The association of computed tomographic (CT) scanning in children with a pertonsillar abscess and intervention chosen by the treating physician, or the potential delay of treatment associated with such imaging, has not yet been explored.

Objectives: To determine if use of a CT scan is associated with a difference in clinical intervention for peritonsillar abscess and to determine if use of a CT scan is associated with delay of this intervention. Read More

Pediatr Emerg Care 2016 Jul;32(7):489-92

From the *Department of Pediatrics, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, and †Otolaryngology Department, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY.

We report a case of a pediatric patient with an initial diagnosis of peritonsillar cellulitis made by otolaryngology. The findings from a subsequent transcutaneous point-of-care ultrasound by a pediatric emergency physician directly affected the decision to perform needle aspiration. Sonographic characteristics of a peritonsillar abscess may be helpful in the prompt diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess. Read More

Nihon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho 2016 Jul;119(7):962-6

We report the case a 54-year-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital with a sore throat and evidence of a high inflammatory reaction. Computed tomography revealed a peritonsillar abscess extending from the inferior right tonsil to the cervical esophagus, and thickening of the esophageal wall. The pharyngeal abscess was drained through an intraluminal incision in the mesopharynx. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2016 Dec 20;273(12):4507-4513. Epub 2016 Jun 20.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic Head & Neck Surgery, Kliniken Maria Hilf Mönchengladbach, Sandradstr. 43, 41061, Mönchengladbach, Germany.

Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common infection of the oropharynx resulting in painful swallowing, sometimes associated with fever, trismus and a typical voice alteration. Several draining methods have been suggested, including needle aspiration (NA), incision and drainage (ID), or abscesstonsillectomy. However, a gold standard of surgical therapy still does not exist. Read More

J Laryngol Otol 2016 Aug 10;130(8):768-76. Epub 2016 Jun 10.

Objectives: To investigate variations in the management and outcomes of peritonsillar abscesses, and to develop a trainee collaborative network in the UK.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively on suspected peritonsillar abscess cases presenting over a 2-month period at 42 participating secondary care centres, covering a population of 16 million. The primary outcome was an adverse event at 30 days, defined as re-presentation or re-drainage. Read More

Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2016 May;30(10):801-804;810

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang，550002, China.

To study the etiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of infection of deep neck space with superior mediastinal infection in order to accumulate experience in clinical diagnosis and treatment.We reviewed medical records of 15 patients who were diagnosed with deep neck infection with superior mediastinal infection and those who were hospitalized in Guizhou provincial people's hospital from Janurary 2011 to July 2015.The patients were screened retrospectively for demographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, laboratory examinations, imaging features, bacteriologies and etiologies. Read More

Laryngorhinootologie 2016 Apr 29;95 Suppl 1:S88-S109. Epub 2016 Apr 29.

Klinik für HNO-Krankheiten, Plastische Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie, Allergologie, Kliniken Maria Hilf, Mönchengladbach.

Background: Tonsillectomy rates vary considerably among different states, regions and times. This study was undertaken to identify the prevalence of "chronic" tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, hyperplasia of the tonsils with and without adenoids in absolute and relative numbers in an 80m people nation. Moreover, the number and rates of different surgical procedures to resolve either "chronic" tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess or upper airway obstruction due to (adeno)tonsillar hyperplasia over several years was evaluated in this study (tonsillectomy, adenotonsillectomy, tonsillotomy , abscess tonsillectomy, transoral incision and drainage). Read More

Laryngoscope 2016 07 24;126(7):1529-34. Epub 2016 Mar 24.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.A.

Objectives/hypothesis: To compare clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients presenting with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) treated with either initial medical or surgical management.

Study Design: Retrospective observational cohort.

Methods: A consecutive cohort of patients presenting between 2010 and 2014 with the final diagnosis of PTA (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code 475) were included. Read More

J Antimicrob Chemother 2016 06 10;71(6):1681-7. Epub 2016 Mar 10.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, PO Box 263, FI-00290, Helsinki, Finland Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of metronidazole in conjunction with penicillin in preventing the recurrence of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) and to learn whether metronidazole enhances the recovery from PTA when compared with penicillin alone.

Methods: In this prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 200 adult outpatients with PTA at our ear, nose and throat emergency department received either penicillin (1 000 000IU) × 3 and metronidazole (400 mg) × 3 for 10 and 7 days orally (combination group, N = 100) or penicillin and placebo (penicillin group, N = 100) after incision and drainage of the PTA. Afterwards they received a symptom questionnaire via e-mail daily for 2 weeks, then weekly for 6 weeks. Read More

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016 May 4;35(5):867-73. Epub 2016 Mar 4.

Emergency Department, Nantes University Hospital, 44093, Nantes, France.

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of hospitalized patients with peritonsillar abscess (PTA). We conducted a multicenter survey in 13 French university hospitals in 2009-2012 describing 412 patients. Median age was 29 year (range, 2-84) and current smoking habit was reported by 177 (43 %) patients. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2016 Apr 16;273(4):989-1009. Epub 2016 Feb 16.

Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.

In 2013, a total of 84,332 patients had undergone extracapsular tonsillectomies (TE) and 11,493 a tonsillotomy (TT) procedure in Germany. While the latter is increasingly performed, the number of the former is continually decreasing. However, a constant number of approximately 12,000 surgical procedures in terms of abscess-tonsillectomies or incision and drainage are annually performed in Germany to treat patients with a peritonsillar abscess. Read More

Auris Nasus Larynx 2016 Dec 6;43(6):648-53. Epub 2016 Feb 6.

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.

Objective: Since most patients with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) can be successfully treated with surgical drainage and empirical antibiotic therapy, routine bacteriologic studies for all patients with PTA may be unnecessary. This study tried to evaluate which patients with PTA should certainly undergo bacteriologic studies.

Methods: Hundred consecutive patients with PTA were treated and underwent culture tests of purulent contents obtained by surgical drainage between April 2008 and December 2013. Read More

Iran J Otorhinolaryngol 2015 Jul;27(81):293-9

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, GMC, Patiala, Punjab, India .

Introduction: Deep neck space infections (DNSI) are serious diseases that involve several spaces in the neck. The common primary sources of DNSI are dental infections, tonsillar and salivary gland infections, malignancies, and foreign bodies. With widespread use of antibiotics, the prevalence of DNSI has been reduced. Read More