Peritonsillar abscess is best described as which?

Peritonsillar abscess is best described as which?

• A. A collection of pus as a complication of tonsillitis
• B. A collection of pus with fever, sore throat, dysphagia, trismus, muffled voice, uvula deviation, and pooling of saliva
• C. A viral infection of the larynx
• D. A chronic inflammatory swelling of the tonsils without pus

Answer: (B)

Peritonsillar abscess is a collection of pus in the peritonsillar space that typically develops after tonsillitis. The key clinical picture includes fever and severe throat pain with difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), plus local mass effect: trismus (difficulty opening the mouth), a muffled or “hot potato” voice, and deviation of the uvula away from the affected side, often with pooling of saliva from drooling. This combination happens because the pus and swelling push on surrounding structures, creating both systemic symptoms and the distinctive throat findings. Describing it only as a pus collection from tonsillitis misses the important signs that define the diagnosis (swallowing problems, trismus, muffled voice, uvular deviation). The other options don’t fit because they describe conditions without the focal pus collection and the characteristic signs of an abscess.

Peritonsillar abscess is a collection of pus in the peritonsillar space that typically develops after tonsillitis. The key clinical picture includes fever and severe throat pain with difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), plus local mass effect: trismus (difficulty opening the mouth), a muffled or “hot potato” voice, and deviation of the uvula away from the affected side, often with pooling of saliva from drooling. This combination happens because the pus and swelling push on surrounding structures, creating both systemic symptoms and the distinctive throat findings. Describing it only as a pus collection from tonsillitis misses the important signs that define the diagnosis (swallowing problems, trismus, muffled voice, uvular deviation). The other options don’t fit because they describe conditions without the focal pus collection and the characteristic signs of an abscess.