Peritonsillar abscess also called a quinsy is a recognized complication of tonsillitis and consists of a collection of pus beside the tonsil in what is referred to as Peritonsillar space.
The symptoms of quinsy are similar to those of tonsillitis.
and A worsening sore throat, usually on one side
and A high temperature of 38 degrees C or above
and Difficulty opening your mouth
and Pain when eating and drinking
and Difficulty eating and drinking
and Changes to your voice or difficulty speaking
and Bad breath
and Drooling saliva due to the difficulty swallowing
and Earache on the affected side
and Headache and feeling generally unwell
and Swelling around your face and neck
Treatment is as for all abscesses, through surgical incision and drainage of the pus, thereby relieving the pain of the pressed tissues. Antibiotics are also given to treat the infection. Several different antibiotics are available. The choice will depend on the type of bacteria causing your infection and what medicines suit you best. For example, some types of medication may not be suitable if you have another medical condition, such as liver or kidney problems.
Corticosteroids: They help reduce swelling and may be used to treat quinsy. If you have a severe sore throat or severe difficulty swallowing, corticosteroids may be considered. Studies have found that corticosteroids are a safe and effective method of treating quinsy.
Surgery
In most cases of quinsy, antibiotics alone are not an effective treatment, and a surgical procedure is also required. Procedures that may be used include:
and needle aspiration
and incision and drainage
and tonsillectomy
Needle aspiration
Needle aspiration may be used to drain the build-up of fluid from the abscess. The procedure involves using a long, fine needle to draw out the pus. If you have needle aspiration, you will usually be given medication called a sedative to help you relax, or a local anaesthetic may be used to numb the area so that you do not feel any pain.
After the procedure, the fluid that is removed from the abscess will be sent to a laboratory to identify the bacteria that caused the infection.
(With a guarded scalpel a small incision is made above the tonsil, in the soft palate after injecting little local anesthesia. Using a curved artery forceps enter the incision and perform gentle blunt dissection inferiorly, posteriorly, and slightly laterally. In early stage of peritonsillitis needle aspiration is that all needed.)
Incision and drainage (I&D)
In most cases a cut will be made in the affected area to drain the fluid from the abscess. This is called incision and drainage.
Tonsillectomy
A tonsillectomy may be recommended in severe cases of quinsy or if you have recurring bouts of sore throats.
