Peritonsillar Abscess in the Pediatric Population

Abstract

This paper reports on 115 pediatric patients who were treated for peritonsillar abscess at The Columbus Children's Hospital. Its purpose is to document the threefold increase of peritonsillar abscess between 1959 and 1978, relating this to the simultaneous decrease in the number of tonsillectomies by about one third. The paper further shows that 55 of 115 patients underwent successful treatment by immediate tonsillectomy with lower morbidity and shorter hospital stay when compared with 60 patients treated medically. The timing of the operation will also be discussed. We believe that immediate tonsillectomy is the treatment of choice.

Needle Aspiration of Peritonsillar Abscess in Children

“…First, the superior pole is to be aspirated; if results are negative, then the middle aspect and inferior poles are to be aspirated. (2) All patients are to be admitted to the hospital for hydration and parenter¬ al antibiotics. (3) After 24 hours, the patient should be re¬ assessed and another needle aspiration or immediate ton¬ sillectomy should be considered if no improvement is noted.…”

Bilateral Peritonsillar Abscesses: A Case Presentation and Review of the Current Literature with regard to the Controversies in Diagnosis and Treatment

“…They are mainly situated in the region of the upper pole and involve the soft palate pushing the tonsils forwards and towards the midline. The condition is usually unilateral and mostly affects young male adults (2 : 1 male preponderance) [1–6]. In our 10-year series (1999–2009), male to female ratio is about 100/63 (Figure 1), with the majority of the cases diagnosed between 20 and 40 years of age (Figure 2).…”

Indications for tonsillectomy stratified by the level of evidence

“…NA is suggested as first-line therapy for PTA, alternatively ID. Abscesstonsillectomy is indicated in patients with a history of recurrent tonsillitis or PTA [13], [263], [301], [349], [364], [398], [492], [493], [494] (grade A), [307], [386], [495] (grade B). …”