Changing trends of peritonsillar abscess.
OBJECTIVE
This retrospective, cohort study aims to assess the changing characteristics of peritonsillar abscess (PTA).


METHODS
Data were obtained from PTA patient records admitted to a secondary hospital over a 10-year period.


RESULTS
A total of 427 patients, aged 31.6 +/- 15.2 years (range, 3-91), were treated for PTA, reflecting an incidence of 0.9/10 000/y. Forty-seven (11%) patients had more than one episode. There was no sex, seasonal, or side predominance. Thirteen (3%) patients developed complications. One hundred four (24.4%) patients were 40 years or older, had a longer hospital stay, and were prone to complications. One hundred two (23.8%) patients did not have an anteceding pharyngotonsillitis. Smoking was more common among patients with PTA as compared with the general population and was associated with more complications. A total of 283 (66.2%) patients developed PTA in spite of prior antibiotic therapy; 51.1% of smokers that received prior antibiotics had a higher incidence of Streptococcus viridans isolates.


CONCLUSIONS
Peritonsillar abscess may have changed its characteristics: affecting more older patients having a worse and longer course and PTA evolvement without anteceding tonsillitis or in spite of a prior adequate antibiotic therapy. Smoking may be a predisposing factor.
Marom
Tal
T
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, Holon, Israel.
Cinamon
Udi
U
Itskoviz
David
D
Roth
Yehudah
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents