Abstract
Peritonsillar abscess is one of the frequently encountered dseases and can be treated with relativeease, using antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic agents. Our patient was a 64 year-old male, who had peritonsillar abscess with dysphagia and pharyngeal pain. The patient was treated by incisi ondrainage followed by postoperative antibiotics and was discharged. In two days after his dis charge, he suddenly developed nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, for which he was readmitted in poor condition. Vomitus was of coffee-like. In spite of aggressive treatments, the patient diedo furemia on 6th hospital days before GI series and esophagoscopy were performed. Auto psyrevealedan abscess extending from posterior wall of the hypopharnx to the mediastinum, and agastriculcer. Large amount of free blood was in the intestin es. It was presumed that the I & Dand the use of antibiotics cured the peritonsillar abscess but an abscess developed in poste riorwall of the hypopharynx and descended down to the mediastinum. This abscess remained unnoticed since his temperature was normal. Only GI symptoms became do minant.
The aged patients often fail to manifest typical symptoms because of the poor body response. Therefore such patients should, be followed closely even after the patientsare improved.
