Peritonsillar abscess with parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal involvement: incidence and intraoral approach

Abstract

Conclusion: This study illustrates common sites of infection seen in peritonsillar abscesses with involvement of the pharyngeal space and retropharyngeal space. Abscesses behind and/or inferior to the tonsil were encountered more frequently than expected. In these cases, the drainage had to be placed in the inferior pole of the tonsil and these types were frequently seen in older patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess to what extent abscesses spread in patients with peritonsillar abscess and to determine to what extent pus can be drained intraorally.

Patients and methods: The clinical charts of 45 patients with peritonsillar abscess involvement of the parapharyngeal space and/or retropharyngeal space were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: In 45 cases, 21 patients were diagnosed with the superior type, and we could drain the pus intraorally in 90% of the patients. On the other hand, 24 cases were diagnosed with the inferior type and they were drained intraorally in 58% of the cases.