title: Peritonsillar infection in Christchurch 1981-1984.
abstract: Retrospective review of the notes of 83 peritonsillar infection sufferers over three years at Christchurch Hospital reveals that the typical sufferer is a young adult male who is most likely to present in winter or summer. Only a quarter of the patients had a significant recent history of tonsillitis but four had had a previous quinsy and six had had a previous tonsillectomy in childhood. Length of symptoms does not appear helpful in differentiating an abscess from a cellulitis. Anaerobic organisms were found in 49% of aspirates and streptococci were the most important aerobic organism. Potential beta lactamase producing organisms, H influenzae, Staph aureus and Bacteroides sp were infrequent and penicillin remains the drug of choice. Appropriate antibiotics and drainage are the essentials of management and tonsillectomy may be indicated.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins