However, some findings are more likely to occur in one condition or the other: Pharyngeal abscess: Muffled, "hot potato" voice (speaking as if a hot object is being held in the mouth) and visible focal swelling in the posterior pharyngeal area (often with deviation of the uvula) Tonsillopharyngitis: Often URI symptoms (eg, runny nose, cough) Although tonsillopharyngitis is easily recognized clinically, its cause is not.