ENTPending review

Peritonsillar abscess

A collection of pus between the tonsil capsule and the pharyngeal muscles (quinsy), forming when tonsillitis spreads beyond the tonsil into an adjacent tissue plane, producing trismus and a muffled voice that mark it out as a surgical emergency rather than severe tonsillitis.

In a nutshell

Infection breaches the tonsil capsule and collects as pus in the adjacent peritonsillar space. Irritation of the nearby pterygoid muscles causes trismus, and the growing collection displaces the uvula and distorts the voice: signs that mark this out from tonsillitis and demand drainage, not just antibiotics.

Classic presentation

Worsening unilateral sore throat after tonsillitis, with trismus, a muffled voice, drooling and uvular deviation away from the affected side.

Key points

Quinsy is pus in the peritonsillar space, not simply severe tonsillitis: the infection has spread beyond the tonsil capsule.

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Educational content pending clinical review. Not medical advice.