Recurrent Peritonsillar Abscess in Post-tonsillectomy Patient.
Cureus
; 14(2): e22271, 2022 Feb.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1776610
ABSTRACT
Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common deep tissue infection of the head and neck. In the literature, most cases demonstrate PTA following acute tonsillitis; however, less documented are cases arising in post-tonsillectomy patients. Here, we report a 45-year-old woman with a history of tonsillectomy 16 years prior, who presented to the emergency department with signs and symptoms consistent with PTA, including sore throat and the presence of a right-sided abscess in the posterolateral oropharynx with apparent pus. The patient reported three previous episodes of right-sided PTA, all of which were addressed via drainage and antibiotic treatment. This episode was treated similarly; cultures from the abscess revealed no growth of organisms. The patient was started on a short course of clindamycin and discharged to follow-up with her primary care physician. Several theories for the etiology of PTA development in post-tonsillectomy patients exist. One theory suggests that PTA may develop in this group of patients due to imperfect margins during the initial surgery, with residual tonsil tissue serving as a nidus for abscess development. Other theories suggest that a congenital fistula may exist in these patients, which, when occluded by scar tissue following a tonsillectomy, may lead to PTA development. Similarly, occlusion of minor salivary ducts has also been suggested to play a role in this unique pathophysiology. Overall, documenting rare cases of PTA development in post-tonsillectomy patients serves as a means of better understanding the complicated etiology behind PTA development and may be able to guide treatment in the future.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Case report
/
Cohort study
/
Etiology study
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Cureus
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Cureus.22271
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