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Peritonsillar abscess or quinsy is a collection of pus between the tonsillar capsule and the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, typically occurring as a complication of acute tonsillitis or peritonsillar cellulitis.
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| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary | Extension of untreated or partially treated tonsillitis |
| Secondary | Spread from peritonsillar cellulitis or minor trauma (e.g., dental procedures) |
Common pathogens:
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Severe unilateral sore throat | Most common presenting complaint |
| Fever and malaise | Often present |
| “Hot potato” voice | Muffled speech due to oropharyngeal swelling |
| Trismus | Painful spasm of masticator muscles (pterygoid), limiting mouth opening |
| Odynophagia or dysphagia | Due to pharyngeal swelling |
| Uvula deviation | Displacement away from the abscess side |
| Unilateral tonsillar bulge | On physical exam, with erythema and fluctuance |
| Complication | Notes |
|---|---|
| Airway obstruction | Especially in bilateral or large abscesses |
| Parapharyngeal abscess | Direct extension laterally |
| Mediastinitis | Rare; via “danger space” spread |
| Sepsis | Especially in immunocompromised or untreated cases |
| Jugular vein thrombosis (Lemierre syndrome) | Fusobacterium necrophorum infection leading to septic thrombophlebitis |
| Post-drainage bleeding | Injury to tonsillar vessels |
Anatomical Location