Abstract
Objective: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is defined as an accumulation of pus in between the tonsillar capsule and the superior constrictor muscle. It occurs mainly following an episode of acute tonsillitis. The purpose of this study is to determine the epidemiological and clinical features of this disease, as well as the different therapeutic modalities.
Materials and methods: This is retrospective study covering PTA cases admitted in the department over a period of 9 years, from January 2011 to December 2019.
Results: We studied a total of 95 PTA cases. PTA was mainly observed in young adults aged betwwen 21 and 30 years old (30,5%). It was clinically diagnosed in 94 patients. The most predominant physical findings were the following: swollen and deviated uvula (54.7%), trismus (64.2%), congested anterior pillar (100%) and a medially deviated palatine tonsil (57%). Bilateral PTA was only recorded once. Needle aspiration was practiced in 94 patients, draining pus in 82 cases (86.31%). All of the 95 studied patients received intravenous antibiotics. Thirteen patients (13.68%) received medical treatment. Surgical drainage was performed in the remaining cases using needle aspiration (n=51), incision drainage (n=30) or quinsy tonsillectomy (n=1).
Conclusion: PTA is one of the most frequent ENT emergencies. The diagnosis is clinical. The treatment can bemedical and/or surgical.
Key words: Peritonsillar abscess, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment
