Untitled Quiz

Study Notes

Red flags are signs and symptoms that indicate possible serious underlying pathology
Red flags prompt further investigation and/or referral

Sore throat, dysphagia, or odynophagia with respiratory distress, inability to open mouth fully, or stiff neck may indicate serious diagnoses such as acute epiglottitis, peritonsillar abscess, or retropharyngeal space infection
Erythema of neck, muffled voice, or fever, rash, diffuse adenopathy, and sore throat may indicate primary HIV infection
Weight loss, fevers, night sweats, and sore throat may indicate lymphoma or head and neck cancers
Recent cocaine smoking may indicate mucosal burn injury to pharynx and larynx
Recent foreign body impaction or oropharyngeal procedure may indicate retropharyngeal abscess

Rare but potentially fatal condition
Inflammation of epiglottis and adjacent tissues
Bacterial infection primarily caused by Haemophilus influenzae
Most commonly seen in children aged 2-6, but incidence decreased with HiB vaccination
Positive thumb sign on lateral radiograph of the neck is diagnostic
Medical emergency requiring airway management and antibiotic therapy

Also known as quinsy
Most common deep infection of head and neck
Most common in young adults, with increased risk in immunocompromised and diabetics
Polymicrobial infection, with common organisms including Group A streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, and Haemophilus influenzae
Diagnosis can be made clinically without lab work or imaging in patients with typical presentation

Severe unilateral sore throat
Dysphagia and odynophagia, leading to pooling of saliva or drooling
Fever and malaise
Dysphonia: muffled "hot potato" voice
Rancid or fetor breath
Otalgia
Trismus and oropharyngeal exam: erythematous enlarged tonsil and bulging soft palate on affected side

Non-suppurative complications:
- Acute rheumatic fever (ARF)
- Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
- Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with group A streptococcal (PANDAS) infection
Suppurative complications:
- Peritonsillar abscess
- Retropharyngeal abscess
- Otitis media
- Sinusitis
- Mastoiditis
- Cervical lymphadenitis
- Meningitis
- Bacteremia

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