title: Needle aspiration of peritonsillar abscess in children.
abstract: Needle aspiration for the treatment of peritonsillar abscess was assessed in 43 consecutive children aged 7 to 18 years (mean age, 13.9 +/- 2.5 years) during the 3-year period from 1988 through 1991. A positive aspirate was obtained in 31 (76%) of the 41 patients who cooperated for needle aspiration; a mean of 2.9 +/- 1.9 mL of pus was withdrawn. Of the 31 children with a positive aspirate, in 27 (87%) the abscess resolved, two (6%) required a second aspiration for resolution, and two (6%) underwent immediate tonsillectomy for persistent abscess. Of the 10 children (24%) with negative aspirations, in six (60%) the abscess resolved with antibiotic treatment alone, three (30%) underwent immediate (quinsy) tonsillectomy, and in one (10%) the abscess spontaneously drained. No bleeding, airway obstruction, or anesthetic complications occurred. Needle aspiration of peritonsillar abscess in children, with tonsillectomy reserved for nonresponders, appears to be an efficacious and safe method of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York, Buffalo.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brodsky
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stanievich
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Volk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003663:Decision Trees; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012086:Reoperation; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000592:standards; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents