Ear, nose, & throat journal
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Lingual tonsil abscess is a rare disorder previously reported only once in the English literature. Because of their similar structure to that of the palatine tonsils, the lingual tonsils have the propensity to develop infection in the same way. ⋯ Here we present our experience with the latter, and we provide radiographic evidence of the disease. Lingual tonsil abscess, although rare, is an important potential cause of airway obstruction and must be considered in the case of a sore throat with a normal oropharyngeal exam.
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Dyspnea is a common complaint among pregnant women; upper airway obstruction is a rare cause of it. We report a case of supraglottic hemangioma in a 20-year-old pregnant woman who presented with increasing dyspnea and hoarseness at 40 weeks of gestation. ⋯ She was able to breathe easily during the postpartum period. This case represents a rare instance of dyspnea caused by a supraglottic hemangioma in a pregnant woman.
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We conducted a study to determine the impact that pediatric adenoidectomy or adenotonsillotomy (adenoidectomy with a partial tonsillectomy) had on the short-term psychological status of the children's mothers. Mothers of 100 treated children were examined with the 14-item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire immediately before the operation and 3 days afterward; to establish a baseline for control purposes, they completed another questionnaire 10 days postoperatively. We also compiled data for the mothers' demographic information and the children's physical status. ⋯ At 3 days postoperatively, anxiety and depression scores were again lower in the more educated mothers, and lower in the absence of postoperative fever. We conclude that mothers whose children are undergoing adenoidectomy or adenotonsillotomy, particularly the latter, and those with less education may require some psychological intervention. Such help may also be needed when postoperative complications occur.
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Subcutaneous emphysema as a complication of a dental procedure is uncommon. When it does occur, it can result in significant and sometimes alarming cervicofacial swelling. Management in most cases involves close observation while awaiting spontaneous resolution. ⋯ The patient was admitted to the hospital for close observation, and within 24 hours her condition had improved significantly. Shortly after discharge, she experienced a complete recovery. We review the clinical presentation, physical examination findings, diagnostic workup, and management of this complication.