แปลบทความวิจัยIntroduction
Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is defined as a collection of pus
between the tonsillar capsule and the middle pharyngeal constrictor
muscle. It is the most frequent deep infection of the
head and neck in young adults, occurring commonly between
20 and 40 years of age.1
The incidence of PTA in the United
States is 30.1 per 100 000 people annually with yearly medical
costs of more than $150 million.2
Peritonsillar abscess
remains a common clinical entity encountered in various disciplines,
but significant debate exists with respect to the best
methods of acute drainage, medical therapy, treatment setting,3
and indications for tonsillectomy.4-6 Although needle
aspiration is commonly used as the primary procedure to
diagnose and treat PTA, this practice is still controversial
among physicians with respect to its success compared to an
incision and drainage strategy.7-13 Clinical parameters that
may predict success or failure of needle aspiration as primary