The normal sonographic picture of the paratonsillar region and the prerequisites for ultrasound diagnosis of purulent pathology of the pharynx

Abstract

Paratonsillar abscess (PTA) stands out among all otorhinolaryngological diseases, since it can cause life-threatening complications that develop in the shortest possible time due to the close connection of the cellular spaces of the head, neck and mediastinum. In addition to physical examination, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are routinely used to diagnose PTA, sonography is less often used. With the help of the latter, it is possible to reliably distinguish PTA from both paratonsillitis and a number of other diseases, including an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery, using the Doppler mode. However, there are significant gaps in the ultrasound diagnosis of PTA and paratonsillitis: the use of a percutaneous convex sensor is not described, there is no description of clear anatomical landmarks for reliable and rapid recognition of PTA, and diagnostically complete algorithms for verification and visualization of paratonsillitis and PTA using sonographic examination have not been developed. Our work is aimed at filling these gaps.