A Novel Technique for Intraoral Ultrasound-Guided Aspiration of Peritonsillar Abscess

Use of Needle Guide for Dynamic Real-Time Ultrasound-Directed Aspiration of Peritonsillar Abscess in the Emergency Department: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

Needle aspiration is a common treatment of peritonsillar abscess (PTA). Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be used to guide this procedure. We describe our experience using a commercially available needle guide attached to an endocavitary ultrasound probe for dynamic real-time POCUS-guided PTA needle aspiration.

DISCUSSION

A convenience sample of patients were treated using the needle guide. The primary author (Peter Kumasaka) performed or supervised emergency medicine residents and physician assistants (PAs) for each case in which the needle guide was used. The electronic medical records were abstracted for procedure success, various length of stay (LOS) data, and to determine use of computed tomography imaging and otorhinolaryngologist (ENT) consultation. Dynamic POCUS-guided needle aspiration using the needle guide (DNG) was performed on 8 patients. There were no unexpected return visits to the emergency department (ED) or to the ENT clinic for any of the patients. The median time to perform DNG was 9 min (range 8-17 min). Median LOS was 182 min (range 78-287 min). Median time from POCUS order to patient discharge was 82.5 min (range 66-237 min). Median time from starting procedure to discharge was 43 min (range 18-148 min).

CONCLUSIONS

The needle guide is a useful adjunct to assist in PTA drainage. It provided rapid, safe, and efficient care. Additional research is needed to see how this technique compares with more traditional methods of PTA drainage.

Impact of Bedside Ultrasound on Emergency Department Length of Stay and Admission in Patients With a Suspected Peritonsillar Abscess

Introduction Patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with a suspected peritonsillar abscess (PTA) often pose a diagnostic dilemma, as clinical impression is often unreliable and traditional diagnostic methods have multiple downsides. Bedside ultrasonography has been cited as a modality to improve the diagnosis and management of PTA. We aimed to determine the impact bedside ultrasound (US) could have in suspected PTA on ED length of stay (LOS) and hospital admission rates. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review on patients who presented to the ED with suspected ''peritonsillar abscess''. Results From a sample of 58 charts, seven had documented bedside US performed. The average ED length of stay for these seven cases was 160 minutes (range: 52 to 270 minutes). The ED length of stay for all other cases utilizing other diagnostic methods during the same time period was 293 minutes (range: 34 to 780 minutes). None of the patients who were diagnosed with US were admitted to the hospital, whereas 36.4% of patients where US was not used were admitted. Conclusion The use of bedside US in seven cases of suspected PTA had reduced LOS in the ED and none required hospital admission.

Feasibility of an inexperienced examiner using trans-cervical ultrasound in the diagnosis of peritonsillar abscesses

BACKGROUND

A peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common complication to acute tonsillitis. Needle aspiration (NA) is the gold standard for diagnosis of PTA. NA is usually painful and not risk-free. Ultrasound (US) is a noninvasive, portable radiological modality that could potentially be used in the diagnosis of PTA and selection of patients for NA. The reliability of US is dependent on the experience of the examiner which limits is usefulness.

AIM

To evaluate the reliability of US in the diagnosis of PTA by an inexperienced examiner.

METHODS

Thirty patients with suspected PTA were included. They were first examined with trans-cervical US by a medical student then clinically examined by a physician that performed a NA if clinically motivated. They were then followed for at least two days.

RESULTS

Three patients were excluded from analysis because no NA was performed. In these patients, US correctly classified them as negative for PTA. In the remaining 27 patients, the sensitivity and negative predictive value was 100%. The specificity was 64.3% and the positive-predictive value was 72.2%.

CONCLUSION

US can be very useful in the diagnosis of PTA and the selection for NA even with an inexperienced examiner.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results highlight the usefulness of ultrasound in otolaryngology.

Procedural Applications of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Point-of-care ultrasound can improve efficacy and safety of pediatric procedures performed in the emergency department. This article reviews ultrasound guidance for the following pediatric emergency medicine procedures: soft tissue (abscess incision and drainage, foreign body identification and removal, and peritonsillar abscess drainage), musculoskeletal and neurologic (hip arthrocentesis, peripheral nerve blocks, and lumbar puncture), vascular access (peripheral intravenous access and central line placement), and critical care (endotracheal tube placement, pericardiocentesis, thoracentesis, and paracentesis). By incorporating ultrasound, emergency physicians caring for pediatric patients have the potential to enhance their procedural scope, confidence, safety, and success.

Ultrasound-Guided Needle Aspiration of Peritonsillar Abscesses: Utility of Transoral Pharyngeal Ultrasonography

A peritonsillar abscess is a common deep infection that is usually related to acute tonsillitis. Needle aspiration is often performed for diagnosis and treatment, but several complications, including puncture of the carotid artery, may occur, even when performed by properly trained physicians. The utility of transoral pharyngeal ultrasonography (TOPU) equipped with a biopsy adaptor for safe and full aspiration is presented. A 19-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of a peritonsillar abscess. TOPU showed the abscess and a branch of the carotid artery, and an otolaryngologist performed puncture through the biopsy adaptor with the aid of the ultrasound image. Needle aspiration was accomplished by avoiding arterial puncture and monitoring the shrinkage of the abscess. TOPU-guided needle aspiration is useful in the safe drainage of peritonsillar abscesses.