Pediatric Peritonsillar Abscess Treatment & Management

  • Author: Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 8, 2012
 

Medical Care

The areas to be addressed in patients with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) include hydration, analgesia, and antibiotics. The mode of delivery (intravenous vs oral) depends on the patient's ability to tolerate oral intake and on the decision to treat the patient as an inpatient or outpatient.

Hospitalization may be needed, especially in young children. However, adults and older children with uncomplicated peritonsillar abscess may be managed as outpatients after drainage if they can take oral medications and hydration.[5, 6]

When present, airway obstruction may require immediate airway management. Therefore, equipment for intubation cricothyroidotomy or tracheotomy should be available. Supportive therapy to ensure adequate hydration and analgesia should be provided.

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Surgical Care

Three drainage procedures are needle aspiration, incision and drainage, and tonsillectomy.

Needle aspiration is performed as follows:

  • This procedure is indicated either as the definitive drainage procedure or to confirm the presence of pus prior to incision and drainage. Ultrasonography may be used to guide the aspiration.
  • The procedure can be done using topical anesthesia. After the identified area of fluctuance is numbed with topical anesthesia (in 90% of cases, this is the superior-medial aspect of the tonsil), an 18-gauge spinal needle is inserted, and pus is aspirated with a 10-mL syringe.
  • Some authorities recommend 3-point aspiration, with the first site being superior and medial and the other 2 sites progressively 0.5-1 cm more inferior and lateral.
  • Complications include respiratory distress, aspiration, and hemorrhage.
  • The success rate of needle aspiration exceeds 90%. Similar success rates were found in randomized trials that compared needle aspiration to incision and drainage (each above 92%).[19, 20] A meta-analysis showed needle aspiration was 94% successful in treating peritonsillar abscess (range, 85-100%).[21]
  • Repeat aspiration may be required in 4-10% of individuals. If symptoms do not resolve with needle aspiration, the patient may either undergo a second needle aspiration or one of the other 2 drainage procedures.
  • Needle aspiration may be performed by a well-trained clinician (usually an otolaryngologist).
  • Contraindications to performing needle aspiration in the outpatient setting are (1) uncertain diagnosis, (2) uncooperative child, (3) very young child, (4) anticipation of airway management problems, and (5) bleeding diathesis.

Incision and drainage is performed as follows:

  • The procedure achieves wider drainage than with needle aspiration.
  • It is more painful than needle aspiration.
  • The procedure requires an otorhinolaryngologist to perform it.
  • Contraindications to performing incision and drainage in the outpatient setting are (1) uncertain diagnosis, (2) uncooperative child, (3) very young child, and (4) anticipation of airway management problems.

Tonsillectomy is performed as follows:

  • When performed in the acute stages of a peritonsillar abscess, the procedure is also known as an abscess tonsillectomy, quinsy tonsillectomy, cold tonsillectomy, and tonsillectomy à chaud. When performed after an interval of several weeks, this procedure is known as interval tonsillectomy.
  • Tonsillectomy is preferred by some authorities because it is definitive therapy, may decrease the overall duration of inpatient stay if interval tonsillectomy is to be performed at a later date, and carries no increased morbidity over interval tonsillectomy.
  • Performed if abscess fails to resolve with other drainage techniques.
  • Tonsillectomy is preferred in those with a previous history of recurrent pharyngitis or previous episodes of peritonsillar abscess.
  • The downsides to this procedure are that it must be performed in the operating room, which leads to increased costs and time delays, and that intubating the patient may prove difficult.
  • Only an otorhinolaryngologist should perform tonsillectomy.
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Consultations

Consult an otorhinolaryngology in all cases for follow-up care.

Directly involve an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician in the following cases:

  • All children with an unclear diagnosis
  • Anyone undergoing incision and drainage in the emergency department
  • All patients (very young, uncooperative) who require abscess tonsillectomy in the operating room
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Diet

When airway compromise is a concern, the patient should be restricted to nothing by mouth (NPO). Otherwise, diet should consist of fluids and a soft diet as tolerated.

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Activity

Permit activity as tolerated.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc  Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine

Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, Armed Forces Infectious Diseases Society, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, Infectious Diseases Society of America, International Immunocompromised Host Society, International Society for Infectious Diseases, Medical Society of the District of Columbia, New York Academy of Sciences, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Ear, Nose and Throat Advances in Children, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Society for Pediatric Research, Southern Medical Association, and Surgical Infection Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Ashir Kumar, MD, MBBS, FAAP  Professor Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Ashir Kumar, MD, MBBS, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joseph Domachowske, MD  Professor of Pediatrics, Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Joseph Domachowske, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD  Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Chief Editor

Russell W Steele, MD  Head, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ochsner Children's Health Center; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine

Russell W Steele, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Gershon Segal, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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Examination of the oropharynx demonstrates unilateral swelling and erythema of the left tonsil with deviation of the uvula to the contralateral side. Courtesy of Michael Altieri, MD, Medifor, Inc. Used with permission.
CT scan with contrast demonstrates a 2-cm low-attenuation mass with a minimally enhancing wall in the right peritonsillar region. Associated edema, ipsilateral jugulodigastric lymphadenopathy, compression of the internal jugular vein, and deviation of the airway are present.
 
 
 
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