JAOCR at the Viewbox
JAOCR at the Viewbox
Teresa L. Finnila, M.D., Paul M. Sherman, M.D.
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, San Antonio, TX
Tonsillitis Versus Tonsillar / Peritonsillar Abscess.
An adolescent presents with high fever, sore throat, odynophagia, possibly with neck swelling. A tonsillar
infection is suspected, but how severe? In the ED setting, contrast-enhanced CT plays a key role in distinguishing
between acute tonsillitis, and tonsillar / peritonsillar abscess, which have divergent treatments. Acute tonsillitis
will appear as edematous inflamed lymphoid tissue, without a focal fluid collection. In some cases, a distinctive
“tiger stripe” appearance is present, as seen in the right palatine tonsil in this image (Fig.). Treatment with oral
antibiotics is appropriate, targeting the most common pathogens: Group A ß-hemolytic Streptococcus,
Staphylococcus aureus, and Haemophilus influenzae. However, tonsillar / peritonsillar abscess presents as a hypoattenuating fluid collection with peripheral rim enhancement, as seen above in the left palatine tonsil (Fig.),
requiring surgical incision and drainage. An irregular or scalloped contour of the enhancing wall is very specific for
abscess. Complications include airway compromise and abscess rupture leading to deep neck space infection
and/or aspiration of pus. Ideally, peritonsillar cellulitis or phlegmon, treated with IV antibiotics, should produce
an intermediate appearance between tonsillitis and frank abscess; yet the picture is often not so clear-cut. CT is
excellent at distinguishing between tonsillitis and abscess, however approximately 25% of CT-suspected abscesses
will in fact be phlegmonous and not drainable by I&D. Finally, in a setting other than acute infection, keep in mind
the differential diagnosis of lymphoid hyperplasia, and inflammatory conditions such as angioedema and
mucositis. In an older adult, squamous cell carcinoma must always be considered.
The views expressed in this material are those of the author, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force.
J Am Osteopath Coll Radiol 2014; Vol. 3, Issue 4
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