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Peritonsillar abscess: epidemiology and relationship with climate variations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 May 2017

G S M Freire ,
J H Z dos Santos ,
P A Rolón ,
G B Pinheiro  and
A L L Sampaio
G S M Freire*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
J H Z dos Santos
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
P A Rolón
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Regional da Asa Norte, Brasília, Brazil
G B Pinheiro
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal, Brasília, Brazil
A L L Sampaio
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Gustavo Subtil Magalhães Freire, SGAN 605, Avenida L2 Norte, 70830-200 Brasília, DF, Brazil Fax: +55 61 2028 5580 E-mail: gustavosmf@gmail.com
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Abstract

Background:

Peritonsillar abscess is the most common deep infection of the head and neck in young adults. It is considered a purulent complication of acute tonsillitis, but other mechanisms have been proposed. There is no consensus as to whether seasonality affects peritonsillar abscess incidence.

Methods:

This observational, descriptive, retrospective study explored the epidemiology of peritonsillar abscess and its relationship with seasonality. The cases were selected from the emergency otolaryngology service of a tertiary hospital.

Results:

The sample comprised 528 patients (42.61 per cent males, mean age = 26.63 years). A moderate positive correlation was found between peritonsillar abscess incidence and monthly average temperature. No associations were found with insolation, precipitation or humidity.

Conclusion:

In this sample, peritonsillar abscess was more likely to occur in warmer months. The findings corroborate the theory that peritonsillar abscess is not a direct complication of acute tonsillitis and may improve understanding of peritonsillar abscess aetiology.

Keywords

Peritonsillar AbscessTonsillitisWeatherEpidemiology
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 131 , Issue 7 , July 2017 , pp. 627 - 630
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2017 

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