Peritonsillar Abscess: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

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Peritonsillar Abscess: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

An adolescent presents with fever, sore throat, trismus, muffled voice, and uvula deviated to the LEFT. What's the most likely diagnosis?

A. Infectious Mononucleosis
B. Right peritonsillar abscess
C. Epiglottitis
D. Diphtheria
E. Left peritonsillar abscess

Answer and topic summary

The answer is B. Right peritonsillar abscess

This clinical presentation is characteristic of a peritonsillar abscess (PTA), a collection of pus between the tonsillar capsule and the pharyngeal constrictor muscle. The key differentiating features here are:

  • Trismus: Difficulty opening the mouth due to inflammation affecting the nearby pterygoid muscles.
  • Muffled (“Hot Potato”) Voice: Caused by oropharyngeal swelling.
  • Uvular Deviation: The swelling from the abscess pushes the affected tonsil medially, displacing the uvula AWAY from the side of the abscess. Therefore, leftward deviation indicates a right-sided PTA.
View blueprint lesson

Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:

Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint EENT ⇒ Oropharyngeal disorders ⇒ Infectious and inflammatory disorders ⇒ Peritonsillar abscess

Also covered as part of the Pediatric EOR, Family Medicine EOR, and Emergency Medicine EOR topic list

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