Peritonsillar abscess with rapid progression to complete airway obstruction in a toddler.

Peritonsillar abscess in children younger than 5 years old has rarely been reported in the literature. We present the case of a 22-month-old child with a right peritonsillar abscess with parapharyngeal spread that was complicated by airway obstruction secondary to rapid epiglottic swelling. The severity of the airway obstruction necessitated an urgent tracheostomy, incision and drainage of the peritonsillar abscess and right lateral pharyngeal space, and a right tonsillectomy. Here we report the case and review the literature regarding peritonsillar space infections, their potential complications, and treatment.