title: Peritonsillar abscess. Clinical and microbiologic aspects and treatment regimens.
abstract: This prospective study shows that acute peritonsillar abscess can be successfully treated by three-point puncture and aspiration. The results (recurrence in 19%) are comparable with published data on drainage of the peritonsillar space through the incision procedure. By proper selection of patients, the rate of recurrences can be further reduced. Because the occurrence of Streptococcus pyogenes in the aspirate seems to be associated with a favorable prognosis of therapy with puncture and antibiotics only, testing for the presence of this bacterial species might give a useful clue to the type of treatment needed. If the bacterial culture shows mixed aerobic and anaerobic flora, but not S pyogenes, and if the patient has a history of recurrent tonsillitis, incision or proceeding directly to tonsillectomy may be the best therapeutical choice.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Central Military Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Savolainen
authors: H R
authors: HR
authors: Jousimies-Somer
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Mäkitie
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Ylikoski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006089:Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010404:Penicillin V / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011677:Punctures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012008:Recurrence; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004917:Erythromycin; D000667:Ampicillin; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D010404:Penicillin V