Cervical discitis and epidural abscess after tonsillectomy.

Authors

• Joseph M Curry
• David M Cognetti
• James Harrop
• Maurits S Boon
• Joseph R Spiegel

Publication/Presentation Date

12-1-2007

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Approximately 6 weeks after an uncomplicated tonsillectomy for chronic tonsillitis, a 37-year-old woman presented to our emergency department with complaints of odynophagia and cervical pain persistent since surgery. Computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging revealed cervical spinal osteomyelitis with epidural abscess at C2 to 3. The patient underwent treatment with intravenous antibiotics, operative debridement, and cervical spinal stabilization. She recovered with no neurologic deficit.

CONCLUSIONS: Significant infectious complications of tonsillectomy are uncommon, and cervical spinal osteomyelitis and epidural abscess are exceptionally rare occurrences. In the presence of prolonged pain and dysphagia, imaging can be considered to evaluate for such sequelae.

Volume

117

Issue

12

First Page

2093

Last Page

2096

ISSN

0023-852X

Published In/Presented At

Curry, J. M., Cognetti, D. M., Harrop, J., Boon, M. S., & Spiegel, J. R. (2007). Cervical discitis and epidural abscess after tonsillectomy. The Laryngoscope, 117(12), 2093–2096. https://doi.org/10.1097/MLG.0b013e31814538a0

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

17909449

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article