ENT: Peritonsillar Abscess: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️ FREE MSRA PODCAST – Peritonsillar Abscess (Quinsy)🎧 A clear, high-yield breakdown of this painful ENT emergency with pus and a hot potato voice – perfect for exam prep and real-life clinical scenarios.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• Peritonsillar abscess (Quinsy) is a collection of pus in the peritonsillar space, outside the tonsil capsule but within the soft tissues of the oropharynx.• It’s usually a complication of untreated or severe tonsillitis.📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Common pathogens: Group A Streptococcus, Staph aureus, anaerobes, occasionally Haemophilus and viridans streptococci• Recurrent tonsillitis• Previous Quinsy• Inadequately treated throat infections• 15–30 age group most affected• Smoking and immunocompromised states increase risk🧠 Mnemonic: “STREP-T” – Strep, Tonsillitis (recurrent), Recurrence history, ENT age group (15–30), Poor immunity, Tobacco📌 Pathophysiology• Begins as tonsillitis, infection spreads into the peritonsillar space• May also originate from Weber glands (minor salivary glands) near the upper tonsil• Inflammation and pus accumulate, forming an abscess• May progress from cellulitis to abscess📌 Symptoms• Severe unilateral sore throat• Painful swallowing (odynophagia)• Hot potato voice (muffled speech)• Trismus (difficulty opening mouth)• Fever, malaise, earache, drooling, fetid breath• Displaced uvula – pushed away from swollen side🧠 Mnemonic: “HOT PUSt” – Hot potato voice, One-sided pain, Trismus, Pus (abscess), Uvula shift, Sore throat📌 Differential Diagnosis• Acute tonsillitis• Epiglottitis• Retropharyngeal abscess• Ludwig’s angina• Lymphadenopathy• Infectious mononucleosis📌 Diagnosis• Mainly clinical – history and classic signs (unilateral sore throat, uvula deviation, trismus)• Throat swabs, FBC, CRP• Ultrasound to differentiate cellulitis vs abscess, guide drainage• CT neck only in atypical or severe/deep spread cases• Consider monospot test if EBV suspected📌 Management• Supportive care: IV fluids, strong analgesia• IV antibiotics: Broad-spectrum (e.g. clindamycin, ampicillin-sulbactam)• IV steroids: Single dose may reduce swelling and pain• Surgical drainage:– Needle aspiration– Incision and drainage (I&D)– Quinsy tonsillectomy (select cases)• Ultrasound guidance useful if aspiration fails• Interval tonsillectomy considered for recurrent episodes❗ Same-day ENT referral is essential if suspected📌 Complications• Recurrence• Deep neck space infection• Necrotising fasciitis• Airway obstruction• Aspiration pneumonia, sepsis• Lemierre’s syndrome – IJV thrombophlebitis with septic emboli• Mediastinitis, massive haemorrhage (rare but life-threatening)📌 Prognosis• Excellent with early drainage and IV antibiotics• Delayed treatment increases risk of serious complications• Interval tonsillectomy prevents recurrence in high-risk patients📎 More MSRA Resources for Peritonsillar Abscess / Quinsy📝 Revision Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/peritonsillar-abscess-quinsy-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/peritonsillar-abscess-quinsy-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/peritonsillar-abscess-quinsy-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/peritonsillar-abscess-quinsy-rapid-quiz/🧪 Topic Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/peritonsillar-abscessquinsy/🎓 Full Course:https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/ent-for-the-msra/🔗 All resources are part of the ENT for the MSRA course athttps://www.passthemsra.com – explore full revision guides, quizzes, flashcards, and more.Hashtags#MSRA #MSRARevisionNotes #MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQandANotes #MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialityRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision #MSRARevisionWebsite #ENT #PeritonsillarAbscess #Quinsy