[Our experience in the management of peritonsillar phlegmon and abscess in children].
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to evaluate the possible causes of the increased incidence of peritonsillar abscess in children during recent years, since up until now this condition has been unusual in children.


METHODS
A retrospective study of all cases diagnosed in the Emergency Room between 1983 and 1998 detected nine children admitted to the hospital with painful swallowing, high fever and trismus. All of them underwent fine needle aspiration and transcutaneous ultrasound.


RESULTS
The mean age was 9.8 years. Eight children suffered previous pharyngo-tonsillar infection, although emergency assistance was only confirmed in four cases. Six children were treated with macrolides, two with amoxicillin and one with cefuroxime. Exploration always diagnosed peritonsillar infection and needle aspiration detected an abscess in six cases. Ultrasound did not provide new information. In cases with abscess, drainage was performed and in three patients under general anesthesia. Bacteriologic cultures showed a lack of correlation between the isolates from the tonsillar surface and from pus from the abscess or tonsillar core. In the latter two there was a preponderance of Haemophilus influenzae and anaerobes. All children received intravenous antibiotic therapy and delayed tonsillectomy was done. There were no complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Infant cases of peritonsillar abscess are increasing and there is no clear relationship with acute tonsillar infections, but probably with the use of inadequate antibiotics.
García Callejo
F J
FJ
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia.
Velert Vila
M M
MM
D000293:Adolescent; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018942:Macrolides; D008297:Male; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014068:Tonsillectomy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D018942:Macrolides; D010406:Penicillins; D000658:Amoxicillin; D002444:Cefuroxime
Conducta ante el flemón y el absceso periamigdalinos en la infancia desde nuestra experiencia.