Transoral ultrasonography in the diagnosis and treatment of peritonsillar abscess

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the contribution of transoral ultrasonography (TUS) in the diagnosis and treatment of peritonsillar abscess. Methods We assessed the records of the patients who underwent TUS for suspected peritonsillar abscess. Results We identified a total of 26 patients with a prediagnosis of peritonsillar abscess. Following TUS examination, while the diagnosis was confirmed for 23 of the 26 patients (88.46%), the remaining 3 (11.53%) were diagnosed as having peritonsillar cellulitis. Conclusion TUS allows the differentiation of peritonsillar abscess from cellulitis, hence to avoid an unnecessary invasive procedure in the case of a peritonsillar cellulitis.