AI Article Synopsis
- Bilateral peritonsillar abscess is rare, with patients usually presenting with sore throats and differing symptoms compared to unilateral cases.
- The cases presented were treated successfully using needle aspiration from both sides with a 14-gauge intravenous cannula, which is an established treatment for unilateral abscesses but not widely reported for bilateral cases.
- The authors suggest that bilateral peritonsillar abscess may occur more frequently than previously documented and recommend low thresholds for imaging to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.
Article Abstract
Bilateral peritonsillar abscess is uncommon. When it does occur; patients usually present with sore throat; other clinical signs and symptoms may differ from those usually associated with unilateral peritonsillar abscess. We describe 2 cases of bilateral peritonsillar abscess that were successfully treated with needle aspiration of both sides with a 14-gauge intravenous cannula. Needle aspiration is an accepted form of treatment for unilateral peritonsillar abscess, but to the best of our knowledge, its use as a sole treatment modality (with observation under intravenous antibiotic coverage) for bilateral peritonsillar abscess has not been previously reported in the literature. We also believe that the incidence of acute bilateral peritonsillar abscess may be higher than the rates that have been reported in the literature. Finally, we recommend that the threshold for imaging be low for any patient who is suspected of having acute bilateral peritonsillar abscess to avoid any delay in diagnosis and treatment.
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