Peritonsillar abscesses

Symptoms start approximately within a week (2-8days) before abscess formation

• Progressively worsening, unilateral sore throat and odynophagia
• persistent pain
• fever, malaise, headache
• hot potato voice
• tender cervical lymphadenopathy
• referred ipsilateral ear pain
• halitosis
• trismus

Exam findings

• Redness and edema in the tonsillar area of the affected side
• The uvula may be displaced towards the unaffected side

Etiology

• Strep, Staph, and Nontypeable H. flu

Management

• I&D + antibiotics

See this video for a PTA I&D: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9Ap2X7xqQo