ear, nose, and throat disorders
How To Drain a Peritonsillar Abscess
Additional Considerations for Draining a Peritonsillar Abscess
Needle aspiration may miss the abscess cavity and result in misdiagnosis as peritonsillar cellulitis. Thus, if an abscess is still suspected (eg, based on clinical or imaging findings), some clinicians treat patients with IV antibiotics, corticosteroids, and close observation—sometimes in hospital—even if needle aspiration yields no pus. 