Background
Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a suppurative infection of the tissues between the capsule of the palatine tonsil and pharyngeal muscles and is the most common abscess of the head and neck region. It is usually unilateral but can be bilateral in about 6% of instances.
Peritonsillar abscess (also known as quinsy) is the commonest of all deep neck infections.
Other deep neck infections include retropharyngeal abscess and parapharyngeal (lateral pharyngeal) space abscess.