Peritonsillar abscess in a 12-year-old child is best managed by:
- A Intravenous antibiotics alone for 10 days
- B Immediate tonsillectomy under general anaesthesia
- C Needle aspiration or incision and drainage under local anaesthesia followed by antibiotics, with interval tonsillectomy if recurrent ✓
- D Hot abscess tonsillectomy if drainage fails within 24 hours
Correct answer: C. Needle aspiration or incision and drainage under local anaesthesia followed by antibiotics, with interval tonsillectomy if recurrent
Explanation
Peritonsillar abscess management involves initial drainage by needle aspiration or I&D, which rapidly relieves trismus and symptoms, combined with antibiotics (amoxicillin-clavulanate or penicillin). Interval (cold) tonsillectomy is performed after 4–6 weeks if there is a history of recurrent tonsillitis or a second peritonsillar abscess. Hot (quinsy) tonsillectomy carries increased bleeding risk from oedematous, inflamed tissue and is not routinely recommended unless the patient has airway compromise.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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