Lau et al reported the Liverpool Peritonsillar Abscess Score to help a primary care provider recognize the diagnosis. The authors are from Aintree University Hospital, Mersey ENT Research Collaborative, Ainsdale Medical Centre, Wirral University Teaching Hospital and St Hilary Group Practice in England.
Patient selection: age >= 16 years with sore throat
Parameters:
(1) unilateral sore throat
(2) trismus (mouth opening less than 3 cm)
(3) sex
(4) pharyngeal voice change
(5) uvular deviation
Parameter
Finding
Points
unilateral sore throat
absent
0
present
3
trismus
absent
0
present
2
sex
female
0
male
1
pharyngeal voice change
absent
0
present
1
uvular deviation
absent
0
present
1
total score =
= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 8
• A score >= 4 was indicative of a peritonsillar abscess.
Performance:
• The sensitivity was 96% and specificity 85%.
• The authors claim an area under the ROC curve of 0.97.
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