Question:

A patient presents with fever and dysphagia. The image shows the tonsil being pushed. What is the diagnosis?

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A unilateral bulge pushing the tonsil down and the uvula across is the classic quinsy.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Parapharyngeal abscess
  • Retropharyngeal abscess
  • Peritonsillar abscess
  • Ludwig's angina
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Fever and dysphagia with a unilateral bulge that pushes the tonsil down and medially and shifts the uvula to the opposite side is a peritonsillar abscess (quinsy).
Step 2: It is a collection of pus in the peritonsillar space between the tonsillar capsule and the superior constrictor muscle. There is a bulge of the soft palate and anterior pillar, often with trismus and a muffled hot-potato voice.
Step 3: A parapharyngeal abscess pushes the tonsil and lateral pharyngeal wall medially but the bulge is more in the neck. A retropharyngeal abscess bulges the posterior pharyngeal wall, usually in young children. Ludwig's angina is a submandibular floor-of-mouth infection raising the tongue, not displacing the tonsil. The displaced tonsil with deviated uvula makes peritonsillar abscess correct, option C. Ref: NCBI Bookshelf NBK519520.
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