Bilateral peritonsillar abscess: A case report

Abstract

We describe a rare case of a previously healthy 27 year old man who presented to the otolaryngology clinic with bilateral peritonsillar abscess.The clinical presentation of sore throat, fever, odynophagia and trismus were consistent with peritonsillar abscess, but the presence of symmetric tonsillar swelling and midline uvula misguided the diagnosis.Diagnosis can be based on clinical criteria or imaging techniques. A clinical presentation of peritonsillar abscess with a physical examination of bilateral swollen tonsils and midline uvula is suggestive of bilateral peritonsillar abscess. The general principle of treatment is systemic antibiotics and drainage of the pus.