Twists and Turns of Peritonsillar Abscess

Abstract

Objectıve: The presence of untreated pus within the peritonsillar space can herald the occurrence of various clinical scenarios that could be difficult to describe. In this article we discuss the “TWISTS AND TURNS OF PERITONSILLAR ABSCESS” we have met in the Northwestern region of Nigeria that have not yet been reported in the literature and to compare the means of symptom duration at presentation among study groups. Materıal and Methods: It is a retrospective study. A total number of 25 patients formed the study population (N) and were classified into three: Group 1 included patients who presented early with peritonsillar Abscess and had expected clinical course following treatment. Group 2 included patients who presented late and thus had one twist or the other from the usual presentation. Group 3 included patients who died. Results: The mean age = 24 ± 11 years. Sore throat, dysphagia and fever were the most common symptoms. Asymmetrically enlarged tonsil was the most common oropharyngeal finding with occasionally occurring twists and turns such as gangrenous tonsil, auto-tonsillectomy, and severely bleeding tonsil. Conclusıon: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) constitutes a relentless infection that needs urgent, adequate treatment based on acceptable methods, delay in presentation can herald the occurrence of pathologies that could be difficult to interpret.