Oropharyngeal - Peritonsilar Abscess

Peritonsillar

Abscess

Often polymicrobial from oral flora including: S. pyogenes, S. viridans, anaerobes, Fusobacterium spp., MSSA/MRSA

Clindamycin 30 mg/kg/day PO/IV div q8h (max 600mg/dose)¹

Empiric Therapy & Alternative Regimens

Back to Antimicrobials by Syndrome

Duration of Therapy & Clinical Pearls

Consult ENT, often require surgical drainage. For older patients, bedside surgical drainage is possible.

Ultrasound can assist with initial assessment for presence of abscess and limits radiation exposure. CT may help to better evaluate abscess size and location for possible surgical planning.

No definitive role for glucocorticoids in treatment of peritonsillar abscess, consider on case-by-case basis.

Length of Therapy (IV + PO):

10 days³