REBEL EM - April 17, 2023 - by Alanna Dompkowski
Author’s Conclusion:
“Ultrasound is an acceptable alternative to computed tomography and incision and drainage for establishing diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess. It has high sensitivity for ruling out PTA but it demonstrates only moderate specificity for ruling in the diagnosis.”
Clinical Bottom Line:
This systematic review and meta-analysis adds to the growing body of evidence in favor of utilizing US for diagnosing PTA. However, there simply is not enough high-quality evidence to provide a definite conclusion. Many questions remain, but in our opinion, the benefits provided by US outweigh any drawbacks. We recommend US as an adjunct diagnostic tool for managing patients with suspected PTA. If inconclusive, order a CT scan.