title: A unifying theory of tonsillitis, intratonsillar abscess and peritonsillar abscess.
abstract: We review existing models of the pathogenesis of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) and intra-tonsillar abscess (ITA) and present a novel pathophysiologic model based upon observed histopathology in 2 ITAs and 10 PTAs and acute tonsillitis cases. ITA is rare, and prevailing models are only able to account for a minority of cases. The tonsillar lymphatic ultrastucture and the rapid nature of intratonsillar lymphatic transit, offer the framework for a unifying model of the development and progression of tonsillitis, PTA and ITA.
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Toledo, College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA.
authors: Alex B
authors: AB
authors: Blair
authors: Department of Pathology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Booth
authors: Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA. Electronic address: reginald.baugh@utoledo.edu.
authors: Reginald
authors: R
authors: Baugh
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D006801:Humans; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery