The goal of this study was to determine if computed tomography (CT) added any clinical information that was incorporated into the decision regarding treatment for patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with sore throat.

A retrospective chart review of adult patients who presented to the ED with a chief complaint of sore throat who subsequently underwent CT during that ED visit between 1/1/18 and 12/31/18 at our tertiary academic health center was performed. The association between palatal bulge on Otolaryngology physical exam with successful drainage procedure was examined. The mean Hounsfield units (HU) and maximum dimension of measurable fluid collection on CT were compared between patients who underwent a successful drainage procedure and those who did not undergo a drainage procedure or attempted drainage was unsuccessful.

Ninety-four patients met inclusion criteria, with 53% (50/94) men. Of the 22 patients with a palatal bulge on physical examination by Otolaryngology, 86% (19/22) underwent a successful drainage procedure (p < 0.001) when compared to those not undergoing successful drainage. Notably, 56% (53/94) of CT scans were interpreted as normal or tonsillitis. The mean HU was 42.0 in those patients who underwent a successful drainage procedure and 74.1 in those who did not undergo a drainage procedure (p < 0.001). Overall, 21/35 fluid collections had a palatal bulge (p < 0.001).

Palatal bulge is a reliable finding in identifying patients with a drainable peritonsillar abscess, and CT scans could largely be avoided in patients without physical exam findings suggestive of more extensive deep neck space abscesses. If a CT scan is obtained, HU should be measured and incorporated into the shared decision-making process with the patient.