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Cervical Discitis and Epidural Abscess After Tonsillectomy
Author(s) -
Curry Joseph M.,
Cognetti David M.,
Harrop James,
Boon Maurits S.,
Spiegel Joseph R.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/mlg.0b013e31814538a0
Subject(s) - medicine , tonsillectomy , surgery , odynophagia , discitis , abscess , dysphagia , magnetic resonance imaging , osteomyelitis , neck pain , epidural abscess , radiology , alternative medicine , pathology
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.