peritonsillar abscess [Gk, peri + L, tonsilla, tonsil, abscedere, to go away] , an infection of tissue between the tonsil and pharynx, usually after acute follicular tonsillitis. The symptoms include dysphagia, pain radiating to the ear, and fever. Redness and swelling of the tonsil and adjacent soft palate are present. Treatment includes antibiotics, warm saline solution irrigation, incision and drainage with suction if there is no spontaneous rupture of the abscess, and sometimes tonsillectomy. Also called quinsy. Compare parapharyngeal abscess, retropharyngeal abscess. See also tonsillitis.
