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The peritonsillar abscess is typically sandwiched between the palatine tonsil and the superior constrictor muscle (which is used in the process of swallowing food) in the back of the throat. There are three “compartments” that the abscess, or pus, typically locates in. The topmost area, called superior, is where the majority of cases of peritonsillar abscess occur. The rest occur in either the middle or lower section between the tonsil and the muscle.
Prevalence and Risk Factors
Peritonsillar abscesses are a common cause to seek the help of an otolaryngologist(healthcare provider specializing in disorders of the ears, nose, and throat) emergently. You have about a 30 in 100,000 chance of getting PTA and this can be higher due to antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.
You will be at an increased risk for developing peritonsillar abscess under the falling situations:
You are also likely to have an increased risk of developing peritonsillar abscesses if you abuse alcohol or illegal drugs like cocaine. These drugs along with stereotypical other habits that may accompany the use of illegal drugs likely will decrease your health and weaken your immune system making you more susceptible to peritonsillar abscesses. If you are involved in any of these substances, seek help immediately.
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Tests will be performed to help identify whether or not you really have a peritonsillar abscess. Your health history is a very important part of determining whether or not you likely have a peritonsillar abscess, but your healthcare provider will also perform some additional tests to make a stronger determination. Common tests that may be performed include a visual exam of your throat, CT scan, and/or ultrasound. An ultrasound of your throat is becoming more popular as ultrasound devices are becoming more readily available. Ultrasound also has the added benefit of not requiring radiation. However, not all hospitals or clinics will have the right ultrasound attachments to do a sufficient exam. In this case, the CT scan is the next best choice.
Other tests that are likely to be performed include mono spot test, blood count, cultures of throat and pus. These tests will be performed to help determine whether or not you have another problem that should be considered. Cultures will also help determine the best ongoing treatment for you.
Ultrasound, CT scans, lab work, or endoscopy can be used to rule out similar diagnoses like:
Treatment
Management of peritonsillar abscess may include hospitalization in small children if dehydration is present. However, in most circumstances, hospitalization will not be necessary. Antibiotics will be necessary to treat the cause of the infection and one of the following procedures will need to be performed:
A tonsillectomy is rarely needed to be done and the pus is simply removed and antibiotics continued for 10 to 14 days started to treat your infection.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Galioto NJ.Peritonsillar abscess.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(8):501-506.University of Chicago.Peritonsillar abscess.Liu YH, Su HH, Tsai YW, et al.Initial factors influencing duration of hospital stay in adult patients with peritonsillar abscess.Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2017;10(1):115–120. doi:10.21053/ceo.2015.01718Gupta G, McDowell RH.Peritonsillar abscess. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Additional ReadingCherry, J.D. Harrison, G.J., Kaplan, S.L., Steinbach, W.J. & Hotez, P.J. Feigin and Cherry’s Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 7thed. Peritonsillar, Retropharyngeal, and Parapharyngeal Abscesses.Elsevier, B.V. Peritonsillar abscess.Shah, U.K. & Meyers, A.D. Tonsillitis and Peritonsillar Abscess Clinical Presentation.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Galioto NJ.Peritonsillar abscess.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(8):501-506.University of Chicago.Peritonsillar abscess.Liu YH, Su HH, Tsai YW, et al.Initial factors influencing duration of hospital stay in adult patients with peritonsillar abscess.Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2017;10(1):115–120. doi:10.21053/ceo.2015.01718Gupta G, McDowell RH.Peritonsillar abscess. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Additional ReadingCherry, J.D. Harrison, G.J., Kaplan, S.L., Steinbach, W.J. & Hotez, P.J. Feigin and Cherry’s Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 7thed. Peritonsillar, Retropharyngeal, and Parapharyngeal Abscesses.Elsevier, B.V. Peritonsillar abscess.Shah, U.K. & Meyers, A.D. Tonsillitis and Peritonsillar Abscess Clinical Presentation.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Galioto NJ.Peritonsillar abscess.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(8):501-506.University of Chicago.Peritonsillar abscess.Liu YH, Su HH, Tsai YW, et al.Initial factors influencing duration of hospital stay in adult patients with peritonsillar abscess.Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2017;10(1):115–120. doi:10.21053/ceo.2015.01718Gupta G, McDowell RH.Peritonsillar abscess. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Galioto NJ.Peritonsillar abscess.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(8):501-506.
University of Chicago.Peritonsillar abscess.
Liu YH, Su HH, Tsai YW, et al.Initial factors influencing duration of hospital stay in adult patients with peritonsillar abscess.Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2017;10(1):115–120. doi:10.21053/ceo.2015.01718
Gupta G, McDowell RH.Peritonsillar abscess. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Cherry, J.D. Harrison, G.J., Kaplan, S.L., Steinbach, W.J. & Hotez, P.J. Feigin and Cherry’s Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 7thed. Peritonsillar, Retropharyngeal, and Parapharyngeal Abscesses.Elsevier, B.V. Peritonsillar abscess.Shah, U.K. & Meyers, A.D. Tonsillitis and Peritonsillar Abscess Clinical Presentation.
Cherry, J.D. Harrison, G.J., Kaplan, S.L., Steinbach, W.J. & Hotez, P.J. Feigin and Cherry’s Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 7thed. Peritonsillar, Retropharyngeal, and Parapharyngeal Abscesses.
Elsevier, B.V. Peritonsillar abscess.
Shah, U.K. & Meyers, A.D. Tonsillitis and Peritonsillar Abscess Clinical Presentation.
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