Odontogenic and oropharyngeal infections are relatively common in the cervicofacial region. In rare cases, odontogenic or peritonsillar abscesses may spread through the deep fascial cervical spaces and cause life-threatening complications. Odontogenic infection is the most common cause of deep neck infections and it accounts for 43% of the cases. Early diagnosis, immediate antibiotic treatment,...

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...

Objective To assess changes in the characteristics of peritonsillar abscess (PTA). Methods A retrospective cohort study. Data obtained from medical records of patients diagnosed as having a peritonsillar abscess that were treated in a secondary urban medical center over a ten-year period (1998-2007). Results 427 patients, within ages of 3 to 91 years (average 31.6, SD 15.2, median 30) were enro...