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Clinical Otolaryngology : Official... Mar 2024Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is the most common soft-tissue infection of the head and neck. This potential complication of tonsillitis has demonstrated unique microbial...
OBJECTIVES
Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is the most common soft-tissue infection of the head and neck. This potential complication of tonsillitis has demonstrated unique microbial trends during the COVID-19 pandemic. This era has resulted in a major shift in the hygiene and social habits of the general population, which has resulted in changes in the presentation, management and microbiology of several infectious diseases. To date, the impact of COVID 19 on PTA microbiology and clinical presentation in the paediatric population has yet to be investigated.
DESIGN
Retrospective chart review comparing all cases of paediatric (age 0-18) PTA in an academic tertiary centre during the COVID-19 pandemic (03/2020-02/2022) and compared them to two control groups: pre-COVID (03/2018-02/2020) and post-COVID (03/2022-03/2023). All patients were treated with either needle aspiration, incision and drainage or both means in addition to intravenous antibiotics.
SETTING
A large Ear Nose and Throat department in a tertiary referral center.
PARTICIPANTS
Consecutive children aged 18 years or under, admitted with a diagnosis of Peritonsillar abscess.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
We analyzed the clinical and microbiologcal features of all cases of pediatric peritonsillar abscess during the COVID-19 era (03/2020-02/2022) and compared them to a pre and post control cases.
RESULTS
A total of 96 PTA cases were included (35 pre-COVID, 35 COVID and 26 post-COVID). The means of procedural treatment shifted in favour of incision and drainage versus needle aspiration during the COVID era. The length of hospitalisation increased during the COVID era (3.6 days vs. 2.1 and 3.1 pre and post-COVID respectively, p < .001). No other notable differences in the clinical and demographic features were found between the three eras. The COVID-19 era saw an increase in Fusobacterium (37.1% vs. 8.6% and 24% pre and post-COVID, respectively; p = .008) and Streptococcus Anginosus (31.4% vs. 5.7% and 7.7% pre and post-COVID, respectively; p = .007) species isolation.
CONCLUSIONS
The COVID-19 pandemic did not seem to impact the clinical presentation of paediatric PTA yet resulted in a change in microbiological pathogens. The choice of I&D as a means to shorten hospital stay during the pandemic may have led to an actual increase in hospital stay, suggesting that NA may be the preferred management approach.
Topics: Humans; Child; Peritonsillar Abscess; Case-Control Studies; Retrospective Studies; Pandemics; COVID-19; Drainage
PubMed: 38100150
DOI: 10.1111/coa.14133 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases Aug 2023Kawasaki disease (KD), also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an acute, self-limiting vasculitis of unknown aetiology that mainly involves the medium and...
BACKGROUND
Kawasaki disease (KD), also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an acute, self-limiting vasculitis of unknown aetiology that mainly involves the medium and small arteries and can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, with a 25% incidence of coronary artery aneurysms. Periton-Sillar abscesses are a rare symptom of KD and is easily misdiagnosed at its early stages.
CASE SUMMARY
A 5-year-old boy who presented to a community hospital with a 3-d fever, difficulty in opening his mouth, and neck pain and was originally treated for throat infection without improvement. On the basis of laboratory tests, ultrasound of submandibular and superficial lymph nodes and computed tomography of the neck, the clinician diagnosed the periamygdala abscess and sepsis that did not resolve after antibiotic therapy. On the fifth day of admission, the child developed conjunctival congestion, prune tongue, perianal congestion and desquamation, and slightly stiff and swollen bunions on both feet. A diagnosis of KD was reached with complete remission after intravenous immunoglobulin treatment.
CONCLUSION
Children with neck pain, lymph node enlargement, or airway obstruction as the main manifestations are poorly treated with intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics. Clinicians should not rush invasive operations such as neck puncture, incision, and drainage and should be alert for KD when it cannot be explained by deep neck space infection and early treatment with aspirin combined with gammaglobulin.
PubMed: 37621581
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i22.5391 -
Peritonsillar abscess caused by Mycoplasma hominis and Fusobacterium necrophorum following oral sex.Auris, Nasus, Larynx Apr 2024Mycoplasma hominis is a bacterium that colonizes the genital tract of some females and males, as well as their respiratory tracts. Although only two cases of deep neck...
Mycoplasma hominis is a bacterium that colonizes the genital tract of some females and males, as well as their respiratory tracts. Although only two cases of deep neck infection have been reported, the associations between the onset and sexual intercourse have not been reported. A healthy 19-year-old female was diagnosed with a left peritonsillar abscess. The patient had sexual intercourse with a new partner, including oral sex, two days prior to symptom onset. It was not known whether the male partner had urethritis symptoms. M. hominis and Fusobacterium necrophorum were isolated from the abscess culture. The patient's condition improved after drainage, and sulbactam ampicillin was switched to oral clindamycin.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Young Adult; Adult; Peritonsillar Abscess; Fusobacterium necrophorum; Mycoplasma hominis; Fusobacterium Infections; Sexual Behavior; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38042699
DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2023.10.004 -
European Radiology Experimental Oct 2023We investigated whether a short, 5-min magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol consisting of only axial T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences can...
BACKGROUND
We investigated whether a short, 5-min magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol consisting of only axial T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences can discriminate between tonsillar infections, peritonsillar abscesses and deeply extending abscesses in a retrospective, blinded, multireader setting.
METHODS
We included patients sent by emergency physicians with suspected pharyngotonsillar infections who underwent emergency neck 3-T MRI from April 1 2013 to December 31 2018. Three radiologists (with 10-16 years of experience) reviewed the images for abscesses and their extension into deep neck spaces. Data were reviewed first using only axial T2-weighted Dixon images and DWI (short protocol) and second including other sequences and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted Dixon images (full protocol). Diagnostic accuracy, interobserver agreement, and reader confidence were measured. Surgical findings and clinical course served as standard of reference.
RESULTS
The final sample consisted of 52 patients: 13 acute tonsillitis with no abscesses, 19 peritonsillar abscesses, and 20 deeply extending abscesses. Using the short protocol, diagnostic accuracy for abscesses across all readers was good-to-excellent: sensitivity 0.93 (95% confidence interval 0.87-0.97), specificity 0.85 (0.70-0.93), accuracy 0.91 (0.85-0.95). Using the full protocol, respective values were 0.98 (0.93-1.00), 0.85 (0.70-0.93), and 0.95 (0.90-0.97), not significantly different compared with the short protocol. Similar trends were seen with detecting deep extension. Interobserver agreement was similar between protocols. However, readers had higher confidence in diagnosing abscesses using the full protocol.
CONCLUSIONS
Short MRI protocol showed good-to-excellent accuracy for tonsillar abscesses. Contrast-enhanced images improved reader confidence but did not affect diagnostic accuracy or interobserver agreement.
RELEVANCE STATEMENT
Short protocol consisting only of T2-weighted Dixon and DWI sequences can accurately image tonsillar abscesses, which may improve feasibility of emergency neck MRI.
KEY POINTS
• The short 3-T MRI protocol (T2-weighted images and DWI) was faster (5 min) than the full protocol including T1-weighted contrast-enhanced images (24 min). • The short 3-T MRI protocol showed good diagnostic accuracy for pharyngotonsillar abscesses. • Contrast-enhanced sequences improved reader confidence but did not impact diagnostic accuracy or interobserver agreement.
Topics: Humans; Peritonsillar Abscess; Retrospective Studies; Contrast Media; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 37872406
DOI: 10.1186/s41747-023-00379-0 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Sep 2023This study aimed to determine if the energy delivered by the Gold laser impacted postoperative complication rates after adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, or...
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to determine if the energy delivered by the Gold laser impacted postoperative complication rates after adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, or adenotonsillectomy.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review identified 420 patients who met the criteria within the last five years. Indications for the surgeries included recurrent tonsillitis, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep-disordered breathing, adenoiditis, peritonsillar abscess, and other indications. The relationship between the energy delivered (kJ) and various complications such as bleeding, pain, dehydration, readmission, emergency center visits, and clinic calls was evaluated.
RESULTS
There was a significant correlation between higher kJ delivered and the incidence of major bleeding requiring cauterization in the operating room (p = 0.0311). In addition, emergency center visits (p = 0.0131) and readmission (p = 0.0210) showed a significant correlation with the amount of energy (kJ) delivered. Furthermore, higher energy correlated to higher maximum post-operative pain scores (p = 0.0302). Attendings displayed a different pattern of energy delivery compared to residents (p < 0.0001), which also differed by PGY (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
There are significant correlations between higher energy delivered in kJ using the Gold laser and less desirable post-operative results. In addition, residents tend to utilize higher energy levels than attendings, but this trend tapers off in the 4th and 5th years. Clinicians utilizing the Gold laser during these procedures should be mindful of the amount of kJ they use.
Topics: Humans; Tonsillectomy; Adenoidectomy; Retrospective Studies; Postoperative Complications; Pain, Postoperative
PubMed: 37494775
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111662 -
Cureus Jan 2024Intratonsillar abscess (ITA) is rarely reported. Here, we present an uncommon case of acute ITA in an adult, discuss the evaluation and treatment plan, and review the...
Intratonsillar abscess (ITA) is rarely reported. Here, we present an uncommon case of acute ITA in an adult, discuss the evaluation and treatment plan, and review the ITA literature. The abscess reported in the present study was diagnosed through a combination of clinical findings and computed tomography imaging, and treatment included drainage, intravenous (IV) clindamycin, and IV dexamethasone. The literature reports 72 ITA cases with specified treatments: 21 (29.2%) in adults, 19 (26.4%) in children, and 32 (44.4%) in patients of unspecified ages. Among them, 25 (34.7%) responded to antibiotics alone, 11 (15.3%) to needle aspiration and antibiotics, and 36 (50.0%) needed further intervention. Based on the presented case and literature review, we suggest the use of IV antibiotics with needle aspiration as the primary treatment for acute ITA. Incision and drainage (I&D) with antibiotics should be reserved for cases unresponsive to initial measures, and tonsillectomy is recommended for recurrent post-I&D cases.
PubMed: 38313933
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51657 -
IDCases 2024Helicobacter cinaedi, a gram-negative spiral bacterium, has historically been associated with infections primarily in immunocompromised patients. Recently, however, its...
Helicobacter cinaedi, a gram-negative spiral bacterium, has historically been associated with infections primarily in immunocompromised patients. Recently, however, its potential to cause infections in immunocompetent individuals has been recognized. We report a unique case of a man in his 20 s who reported having sex with men. He presented with symptoms of fever and throat discomfort and was diagnosed with a peritonsillar abscess. While the rapid antigen test for Group A Streptococcus was positive and antibiotics were administered, a puncture fluid from the peritonsillar abscess taken the day after antibiotic treatment revealed the presence of Group C Streptococcus. By the fifth day, the blood culture taken on the first day detected a gram-negative spirochete, which was subsequently identified H. cinaedi. The patient had engaged in oral sex with his male partner, suggesting a potential transmission route. This is significant as H. cinaedi was initially identified from rectal cultures in men who have sex with men (MSM), raising the possibility of pharyngeal transmission through oral sex. In our patient, although H. cinaedi was not isolated from the aspirate of the peritonsillar abscess, its presence in the blood culture and lack of other potential sources of bacteremia make the abscess a likely primary site of infection. This case highlights the importance of considering H. cinaedi as a potential pathogen in immunocompetent patients, particularly in cases of MSM. The potential for H. cinaedi transmission through oral sex and its role in the development of peritonsillar abscesses, a previously unreported association, requires further investigation.
PubMed: 38721054
DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2024.e01975 -
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and... Sep 2023Patients with a peritonsillar abscess (PTA) often present to emergency departments as the first point of medical contact. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are...
OBJECTIVES
Patients with a peritonsillar abscess (PTA) often present to emergency departments as the first point of medical contact. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are more frequent in the winter. Therefore, we hypothesize that the incidence of PTAs will be more frequent in colder winter months as well. This is the first study assessing the seasonal variation and epidemiology of PTA presentations to an emergency department in Atlantic Canada, home to a unique maritime climate.
METHODS
A retrospective cohort study was conducted through a chart review of all patients who presented to the Saint John Regional Hospital Emergency Department from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2020. Patient characteristics, treatment, and microbiology were reported. A chi-square goodness-of-fit test assessed the seasonal variation of PTA. Pearson correlations assessed PTA incidence per mean monthly temperature and humidity.
RESULTS
A total of 75 patients were included. 57.3% were male and 42.7% were female, with a mean age (±SD) of 35.9 ± 14.0. Most patients presented afebrile (82.7%, cutoff ≥ 38.0°C). Approximately half of all patients had an elevated WBC count (49.3%, cutoff ≥ 10.9 × 10). The most common bacteria isolated were Streptococcus species followed by anaerobic bacteria (17.9%). No significant variation was found with respect to season (X(3) = 1.0, = .801), temperature ( = 0.198, = .096), or humidity, ( = 0.063, = .599).
CONCLUSION
This study did not find a seasonal variation of PTA in a maritime climate. These findings question the anecdotal hypothesis that PTA is associated with progression from acute URTIs and therefore would be more common in the winter months.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Peritonsillar Abscess; Seasons; Retrospective Studies; Canada; Emergency Service, Hospital
PubMed: 36217949
DOI: 10.1177/00034894221127485 -
American Journal of Otolaryngology 2024Peritonsillar abscesses (PTA) occasionally occur in patients who have a concurrent history of recurrent tonsillitis or prior PTA episodes. These patients sometimes meet...
PURPOSE
Peritonsillar abscesses (PTA) occasionally occur in patients who have a concurrent history of recurrent tonsillitis or prior PTA episodes. These patients sometimes meet the indications for elective tonsillectomy even prior to the current PTA event. Abscess ("Quinsy") tonsillectomy (QT) could serve as definitive treatment in this specific subgroup, though it is not performed often. The purpose of this study was to compare the perioperative outcomes between immediate QT and tonsillectomy performed several days (delayed QT) or weeks (Interval tonsillectomy, IT) after incision and drainage (I&D) of the PTA in this specific subgroup.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective perioperative outcomes analysis of patients undergoing tonsillectomy (2002-2022) compared QT to delayed QT and IT in patients with PTA meeting AAO-HNS elective tonsillectomy criteria.
RESULTS
110 patients were included: 55 underwent IT, 36 underwent delayed QT, and 19 underwent immediate QT. Postoperative hemorrhage rates were 14.5 %, 11.1 %, and 5.3 % for IT, delayed QT, and immediate QT, respectively (P = 0.08). Mean hospitalization durations were 7.98, 6.92, and 5.37 days for IT, delayed QT, and immediate QT, respectively (P < 0.01). IT had a higher readmission rate due to pain compared to QT (14.5 % vs. 1.9 %, p = 0.032).
CONCLUSION
Immediate QT in PTA patients eligible for elective tonsillectomy is associated with lower postoperative hemorrhage, shorter admission time, and potentially reduced postoperative pain compared to I&D and delayed or interval tonsillectomy. These findings suggest that immediate QT should be considered as a primary treatment in this subgroup of eligible patients.
Topics: Humans; Tonsillectomy; Retrospective Studies; Peritonsillar Abscess; Tonsillitis; Postoperative Hemorrhage
PubMed: 38104468
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.104198 -
POCUS Journal 2023The use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) for diagnosis and treatment of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is increasing 1. Proven advantages include improved diagnostic...
The use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) for diagnosis and treatment of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is increasing 1. Proven advantages include improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment success rates as well as decreased otolaryngology consultation, computed tomography (CT) usage, return visits to the emergency department (ED), and length of stay 1. We present a case of a patient with a PTA that was diagnosed and successfully treated utilizing POCUS, avoiding the need for otolaryngology consultation and CT.
PubMed: 38099156
DOI: 10.24908/pocus.v8i2.16568