The peritonsillar abscess – demographics and microbiological spectrum

Introduction Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is one of the most common infectious diseases in the head and neck region with an incidence of 19-30/100000 cases per year and potentially life-threatening complications. The aim of this study is to assess the demography and microbial characteristics of PTA.

Material Methods In this retrospective study, the analysis of patient data during the period 2011-2015 who were hospitalized with confirmed PTA was performed. Various parameters (e.g., antibiotic administration, recurrence of PTA, diagnosis, therapy, microbial spectrum) were collected.

Results 556 patients (356 male, 200 female) with a PTA were included. The mean age was 35 ± 16 years (range 4-90 years) with predominance of 20-40 year olds. A recurrent PTA was present in 7% of patients. Patients were treated with antibiotics and additionally by either abscess splitting (256 cases) or abcess tonsillectomy (300 cases) as inpatients. Imaging was obtained in 1/5 of the patients. The duration of complaints to admission was 5±6 days and the inpatient length of stay was 4±1 days on average.

Discussion There is a predominance of PTA in male patients. There is evidence in the literature that males are more commonly affected than females. No gender differences in age were found. In 53% of the cases germs could be detected in the microbiological culture. In contrast to the literature, pharyngeal flora and streptococci were found more frequently.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022