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Case Reports
. 2020 Aug 24;2020(8):rjaa112.
doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjaa112. eCollection 2020 Aug.

Bilateral peritonsillar abscess: a case study and literature review

Hemail M Alsubaie  1 , Maisa B Alsmadi  2 , Eidah F Aljuaid  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Bilateral peritonsillar abscess: a case study and literature review

Hemail M Alsubaie et al. J Surg Case Rep. .

Abstract

While peritonsillar abscesses are the most common deep neck infections, bilateral forms are rare. A peritonsillar abscess occurs when pus accumulates in the peritonsillar space, located between the tonsils and superior constrictor muscle, causing medial displacement of the uvula, trismus, odynophagia or even upper airway obstruction. High clinical suspicion is needed to diagnose bilateral peritonsillar abscess due to frequent history, computerized tomography scan of the neck with IV contrast facilitates accurate diagnose and a full assessment of the patient. Incision and drainage are needed to evacuate the pus along with systemic antibiotics to relieve patient symptoms followed by interval tonsillectomy, which usually done after 6 weeks.

Keywords: acute tonsillitis; bilateral; complication; peritonsillar abscess.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CT scan with IV contrast, axial view showing bilateral peritonsillar abscess with rim enhancement.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The 6 weeks post-acute interval tonsillectomy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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