• Christine B Franzese and Jon E Isaacson.
• Division of Otolaryngology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
• Am J Otolaryngol. 2003 May 1; 24 (3): 169-73.

ObjectiveTo review the presentation and management of peritonsillar (PTA) and parapharyngeal space (PPSA) abscesses in older adults and compare this with the usual presentation and management in the younger patient.Study DesignAn 18-year retrospective review at a tertiary care hospital.MethodsThe patient database was searched by using the diagnosis codes for PTA and PPSA. The search included inpatient and outpatient visits of patients 50 years of age and older from 1983 to 2001. The charts were reviewed, and data regarding presentation, management, and outcome were recorded. Comparisons to the current literature were made.ResultsFourteen patients were identified, 8 with PTA and 6 with PPSA. The most common symptoms in both groups were sore throat and dysphagia. Only 1 patient in either group was febrile. All vital signs were within normal limits in all other patients. Only 1 patient in each group experienced trismus, and no patients showed drooling. Five of the PTA patients required inpatient care, and 2 were taken to the operating room.ConclusionsPTA and PPSA are uncommon infections in the older adult, with only 14 patients identified at a tertiary care hospital over an 18-year period. Complaints of new onset sore throat and dysphagia of several days duration in patients over 50 years old should alert the evaluating physician to these 2 clinical entities, even in afebrile, nontoxic patients. PTA in this group may be more likely to require inpatient care along with surgical treatment in the operating room.

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