Intratonsillar abscess in children: Management with needle aspiration

Intratonsillar abscess (ITA) is a rare infection in children. Distinguishing between ITA and peritonsillar abscess (PTA) in the pediatric age group is difficult. The controversies surrounding ITA include the best tool for diagnosis and method of acute management. Since children with abscesses are usually treated by draining the abscess in the operating room under general anesthesia, we examined the option of needle aspiration as the main modality of therapy. In this report we described a 5-year-old child who presented with trismus that was diagnosed with ITA and managed by needle aspiration combined with antibiotic therapy. The clinical features, the differential diagnosis, and the treatment of ITA are discussed.