[Peritonsillar abscesses (quincy)].
OBJECTIVE
To study the circumstances of diagnosis, the supporting factors, the bacteriology, and the therapeutic management of peritonsillar abscesses (quinsy).


METHODS
This was a retrospective study over a period of 10 years in 98 patients hospitalized in an ENT and Head and Neck Surgery department for peritonsillar abscess.


RESULTS
Ninety percent of cases of peritonsillar abscesses complicated angina. Forty-nine percent of patients had no previous antibiotic therapy, 9% had a previous history of peritonsillar abscess, 62% were treated in the emergency department, and fever was present in 64% of cases. The diagnosis was clinical in 98% of cases. The average hospitalization stay lasted 2 days. Sixty-five percent of patients had one needle aspiration of the abscess, 35% had surgical drainage with local anaesthesia. The needle aspiration was negative in 14% of cases. In 29% of cases one bacterium was identified. The patients were completely cured in 10 days. Forty-five percent of patients underwent tonsillectomy at a later date.


CONCLUSIONS
The progression of peritonsillar abscess is favorable in 2-3 days since a local therapeutic act (needle aspiration or drainage) is done associated with an antibiotic and corticoid treatment that is initially intravenous. An emergency tonsillectomy can be proposed in cases of recurrent tonsillitis or peritonsillar abscess.
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Laboratoire d'anatomie à la faculté de médecine, service d'ORL et de chirurgie cervicofaciale, CHU d'Amiens, hôpital Nord, place Victor-Pauchet, 80054 Amiens cedex, France. cyril.page@caramail.com
Peltier
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Medard
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Celebi
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Schmit
J-L
JL
Strunski
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V
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014068:Tonsillectomy
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination