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Intratonsillar abscess: a rare cause for a common clinical presentation
Eng Cern Gan1, Yuk Hui Ng, Siew Yoong Hwang
1Department of Otolaryngology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore. ecgan@hotmail.com
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal
|December 24, 2008
Summary
Intratonsillar abscess, a rare cause of throat pain, was successfully drained in a patient misdiagnosed with peritonsillar abscess. This case highlights diagnostic challenges and adds to the limited literature on this condition.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Head and Neck Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Intratonsillar abscess is an uncommon infection presenting with severe throat pain (odynophagia).
- It is often misdiagnosed as a more common peritonsillar abscess, complicating initial treatment.
- Limited case reports exist, underscoring the rarity and diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 33-year-old male presented with odynophagia, unilateral tonsillar swelling, and uvular deviation.
- Initial attempts to drain a presumed peritonsillar abscess failed, and symptoms worsened.
- Computed tomography confirmed a 2.6 x 2.3 cm intratonsillar abscess.
Findings:
- Surgical drainage of the intratonsillar abscess led to complete resolution of the patient's symptoms.
- Literature review identified only 8 previously reported cases of intratonsillar abscess.
- This case adds to the body of knowledge on intratonsillar abscesses.
Implications:
- Increased clinical awareness is needed to improve diagnosis of intratonsillar abscesses.
- Advanced imaging like CT scans is crucial for accurate diagnosis when initial treatments fail.
- Understanding the pathophysiology may guide future prevention and management strategies for this rare condition.
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