Peritonsillar infection in Christchurch 1981-1984

Retrospective review of the notes of 83 peritonsillar infection sufferers over three years at Christchurch Hospital reveals that the typical sufferer is a young adult male who is most likely to present in winter or summer. Only a quarter of the patients had a significant recent history of tonsillitis but four had had a previous quinsy and six had had a previous tonsillectomy in childhood. Length of symptoms does not appear helpful in differentiating an abscess from a cellulitis. Anaerobic organisms were found in 49% of aspirates and streptococci were the most important aerobic organism. Potential beta lactamase producing organisms, H influenzae, Staph aureus and Bacteroides sp were infrequent and penicillin remains the drug of choice. Appropriate antibiotics and drainage are the essentials of management and tonsillectomy may be indicated.