Paratonsillar abscess of tonsils

The parathonsillar abscess of the tonsils is the most severe, the last stage of inflammation in the pharynx, which is characterized by the formation of a pus filled with pus. This disease has medical synonyms - phlegmous angina and acute paratonsillitis.

This disease is common in both adults and children alike. It is characterized by the presence of relapses, if there are predisposing factors to this.

What happens in the body actually? Local protection works first, a limited focus of the inflammatory process is formed in response to infection. Gradually, the process is complicated by abscessing of tonsil tissues and purulent fusion.

At the same time, a near-tonsillar abscess is formed, which may have several localizations in the surrounding amygdala of the cellulose:

• with an anterior-superior arrangement;
• by external or lateral arrangement;
• with rear location;
• purulent fusion in the lower parts.

What causes that?

Causes of the disease

The main cause of the occurrence in the pharynx of a cavity with pus is the ingress of pathogenic bacteria and other microorganisms( staphylococci, proteas, E. coli, streptococci, Klebsiella and others) into the tissues that surround the palatine tonsils. Usually this abscess is not an independent disease, it is rather a complication of other inflammatory processes that are present in the oral cavity or pharynx.

Predisposing factors of tonsilless abscess can be:

1. Diseases of pharynx caused by bacteria. Often an abscess around the tonsils occurs as a complication of a severe form of tonsillitis, sore throat or pharyngitis. In particular, if these diseases are untreated or ignored. Pathogenic flora actively multiplies, if it is not suppressed by medicines, while it extends to all tissues of the pharynx, oral cavity and even descends into the respiratory tract.
2. Diseases of the gums and teeth can also provoke the appearance of an abscess. Lesions of tooth enamel, gums, long-term untreated carious teeth, chronic periodontitis contribute to the emergence of a constant foci of infection. In this pathogenic microflora extends to the tonsils and other tissues. With reduced immunity, these bacteria are the cause of the abscess.
3. Injury to the throat. Damage to the mucous membrane of the throat, through which pathogenic microorganisms have entered the deeply located tissues, can also cause a paratonsillar abscess. Often these are accidental injuries resulting from improper diagnostic tests, such as gastro- or bronchoscopy, biopsy, etc.
4. The development of this abscess is often observed in persons prone to chronic tonsillitis, who take antibiotics for a long time and have weakened immunity.

The process of formation of the tonsil abscess

As mentioned, often an abscess of this species is formed on the background of chronic tonsillitis. At first, deep pits appear on the surface of the tonsils, and on the background of inflammatory processes in their area, scars form. They also appear on palatine arches. This leads to a fusion of these tissues with the capsule of the amygdala.

Then, during the next exacerbation of tonsillitis, the following occurs: pathological masses do not give a normal drainage to the tonsils, they are not cleared of the products of the life of microorganisms, from mucus - and all this becomes a breeding ground for the propagation of pathogenic microflora. Infection penetrates deep into the cellulose and causes the appearance of a cavity accumulating pus.

Photo of an abscess of tonsils is presented above.

Types of pathology

The formation of an abscess has several stages. The initial stage( stage of edema) is characterized by swelling of the tissues around the tonsils, but so far they are poorly expressed, and therefore the patient may not notice the process.

At the stage of infiltrate formation, hyperemia is attached to the edema, the patient can feel pain while swallowing and unpleasant sensations in the throat. There is an increase in local temperature due to increased blood flow to the tissues.

For the stage of formation of the tonsil abscess, which develops approximately on the fifth day from the onset of the disease, it is characteristic the formation of a cavity in which pus accumulates. Zev during examination shows a pronounced deformation due to protrusion of the abscess. The patient experiences severe pain, opening the mouth is difficult and causes an increase in pain.

Symptoms of abscess around the tonsils

Symptoms of this disease occur unexpectedly, it is characterized by an acute onset. First of all, it is:

• severe pain in the throat region, usually one-sided.; pains increase and reach the extent that the patient can not swallow saliva;
• increase in body temperature up to 39.5 degrees;
• pains in the ear and the temple from the side of the formation of the abscess;
• the patient feels a strong weakness;
• the patient's body shows the presence of intoxication - chills, tremors of the extremities, headache, darkening in the eyes;
• insomnia or increased drowsiness;
• sharp pain and enlarged cervical lymph nodes;
• enhanced saliva formation( hypersalivation);
• white thick coating on the tongue;
• pain in the neck when turning the head;
• strongly pronounced bad breath.

Symptoms of abscess of the tonsils are very unpleasant.

Often on the seventh day, if treatment does not occur, the abscess opens itself, which is accompanied by relief of the patient's condition and some reduction in pain symptoms. But severe complications are possible, such as phlegmon neck, mediastinitis, meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess, etc.

At the slightest suspicion of an abscess of tonsils, you should immediately consult a doctor!

Treatment of acute paratonsillitis

Treat this disease exclusively in a hospital, i.e.the patient is put in a hospital. Therapy of acute paratonsillitis is both medicamental and surgical.

Treatment of tonsil abscess should be timely.

The patient is prescribed antibiotics, usually these are medicines with a wide spectrum of action, effective both in the presence of gram-positive and gram-negative microflora. These can be aminopenicillins, lincosamides or cephalosporins. Antibiotics are usually given in the form of injections. Intramuscular or intravenous - it's envy of the form of inflammation, as well as the severity of the patient's condition.

From symptomatic treatment, the patient is given antipyretic drugs, analgesic and antiseptic solutions for gargling.

How to remove the tonsil abscess

In what cases is it necessary? Surgical treatment involves the opening of an abscess of tonsils and subsequent drainage. This operation is done under anesthesia, so it is painless for the patient. Then, after the surgical intervention and changing in-patient treatment to out-patient treatment, the patient gets a detailed instruction on what should be done to promptly heal the wound surface and prevent the recurrence of purulent cavity formation around the tonsils. If drainage during the operation was insufficient, the patient will be re-cleaned of the purulent cavity. If the abscess occurs again and again, the affected tonsil is removed by the operative route.

Prevention of recurrence of acute paratonsillitis

With proper treatment, recovery should occur two weeks after the operation. But in the case of perforation of the pharyngeal wall and the release of pus on the mediastinum, and even more so - into the cranial cavity - the forecasts are extremely menacing.

Conclusion

To avoid the recurrence of this disease, you need to pay increased attention to your health. In time to treat carious teeth, pharyngitis, prevent the presence of chronic pathologies in the pharynx. It is important to improve immunity by all available means, such as proper nutrition, regular light physical exertion, intake of vitamins, etc.