We noticed a seemingly high prevalence of penicillin allergy in patients who had been diagnosed with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) at our institution. To formally investigate this observation, we reviewed the emergency room (ER) records of 118 patients who had presented between Jan. 1, 1995, and Dec. 31, 1999, with suspected PTA. A diagnosis of PTA was confirmed by the presence of pus on incision...

OBJECTIVES To identify the common bacteria in recent peritonsillar abscesses and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and compare both between adults and children. METHODS This is a retrospective chart review at a single academic institution of patients who underwent either incision and drainage or tonsillectomy for a peritonsillar abscess between 2002 and 2012 (n=69). Medical records were...

We read with great interest a work on healthcare in peritonsillar infections1 published recently by your Journal, and would find it highly constructive to reopen the debate on its therapeutic alternatives. Our centre offers tertiary healthcare coverage for a population of 350 000 and we can corroborate the epidemiological aspects reported by the authors regarding the distribution by age and gen...

OBJECTIVES To investigate if use of antibiotics was associated with bacterial complications following upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). DESIGN Ecological time-trend analysis and a prospective cohort study. SETTING Primary, outpatient specialist and inpatient care in Stockholm County, Sweden. All analyses were based on administrative healthcare data on consultations, diagnoses and ...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To compare clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients presenting with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) treated with either initial medical or surgical management. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective observational cohort. METHODS A consecutive cohort of patients presenting between 2010 and 2014 with the final diagnosis of PTA (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Re...

background and aims. descending necrotizing mediastinitis (dnm) is a rare and life-threatening infection. management of this condition is very difficult and before 1990s, dnm had a mortality rate of 40% despite the use of antibiotics. one of the etiologies of this condition is rapid downward spread of oropharyngeal infection along the cervical fascia planes into the mediastinum. materials and m...