Management of nonperitonsillar abscesses of the head and neck with needle aspiration

Ten patients in a three-year period with various abscesses of the head and neck (nonperitonsillar) were treated with needle aspiration as the primary surgical modality. Eight were successfully managed with antibiotics and needle aspiration alone. Two required incision and drainage. Three patients had large volume abscesses (greater than 10 cc). Two of these resolved with multiple needle aspirations. These data suggest that certain nonperitonsillar abscesses of the head and neck may be successfully managed with needle aspiration and antibiotics.