Peritonsillar abscess-a clinico-bacteriological study.

This study comprised 32 cases of peritonsillar obscess (PTA)constitutint 0.08% of ENT outdoor cases and 0.80% of indoor admission. Age ranged from 14 years to 58 years(mean 34.21 ± 10.25 SD years). Male predominance was seen in the ratio of 1.69:1. A triad of symptoms comprising pain, fever and peritonillar swelling was seen in 29 (90.62%) cases. Ipsilateral jugulodigastric lymphnode enlargement was the commonest sign present in all the cases. Bacterial culture was positive in 25 (78.12%) cases. Most common aerobic organism isolated was Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) seen on 10 (27.77%) cases. Anaerobic culture could be done in 22 cases only. It was positive in 11 (50%) cases. Commonest isolate was Peptostreptococcus seen in 4 (18.18%) cases.