High Amylase Levels in the Peritonsillar Abscess Pus

Abstract

Objective: Study the relationship between peritonsillar abscess and minor salivary glands surrounding the palatine tonsils. Method: Prospective study measuring amylase levels in the pus of patients with peritonsillar abscess compared with the Amylase level in the serum and to the amylase level in pus from other abscesses in the neck. Data regarding age, sex, length of hospitalization, and recurrence were additionally recorded. Results: A total of 40 patients diagnosed with PTA, 19 male (47.5%) and 21 female (52.5%) with an average age of 19 years. The average level of amylase in the pus of the PTA group was 827 u/dl and 9 u/dl in the control group ( P < .001). There were no recurrences in patients with amylase greater than 65 u/dl 0/16 (0%) vs 6/24 (25%) for amylase lower than 65 u/dl ( P = .03). Conclusion: High amylase in the pus lends further support for involvement of minor salivary glands in the pathogenesis of peritonsillar abscess. However, high recurrence rates related to low amylase in the pus imply an additional pathogenesis possibly related to tonsillar infection.