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Peritonsillar abscess with rapid progression to complete airway obstruction in a toddler
Author(s) -
Ormond Andrew,
Chao Stephen,
Shapiro Dov,
Walner David
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.24770
Subject(s) - peritonsillar abscess , medicine , airway obstruction , tonsillectomy , abscess , surgery , airway , parapharyngeal space , toddler , incision and drainage , pharynx , tracheotomy , psychology , developmental psychology
Peritonsillar abscess in children younger than 5 years old has rarely been reported in the literature. We present the case of a 22‐month‐old child with a right peritonsillar abscess with parapharyngeal spread that was complicated by airway obstruction secondary to rapid epiglottic swelling. The severity of the airway obstruction necessitated an urgent tracheostomy, incision and drainage of the peritonsillar abscess and right lateral pharyngeal space, and a right tonsillectomy. Here we report the case and review the literature regarding peritonsillar space infections, their potential complications, and treatment. Laryngoscope 124:2418–2421, 2014