LAUSR

A 22-year-old man with no medical history was seen complaining of a five-day history of worsening sore throat, fever elevation, and odynophagia progressing to trismus and muffled voice. His primary care physician had given NSAIDs with the diagnosis of “common cold”. Physical examination revealed a symmetrical swelling of the soft palate and enlarged tonsils with a midline uvula (Fig. 1). Computed tomography showed bilateral hypodense masses with thick rim enhancements measuring 2.5 × 2.5 cm on the right and 2.5 × 2.0 cm on the left in on the superior peritonsillar regions (Fig. 2). He was diagnosed with bilateral peritonsillar abscesses. Aspirations of purulent material from both sides were performed with a 21-gauge needle; a total of 6 mL of purulent material was obtained from the left side and 8.5 mL from the right side. A subsequent wide incision and drainage procedure was performed under local anesthesia. Clindamycin and cefoperazone sodium therapy was also given; his symptoms disappeared 7 days later (Fig. 3).