S Kallel1, H Hadj Taieb, S Makni, A Ghorbel. 1. Service ORL et chirurgie cervico-faciale, CHU Habib-Bourguiba, route El Ain km 0,5, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia. Electronic address: souha.kallel@yahoo.fr.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Peritonsillar abscess is generally seen as a complication of acute tonsillitis in young subjects. It may, however, in rare cases reveal a malignant tumor of the tonsil: most often squamous cell carcinoma or, more rarely, lymphoma. We report a rare case of tonsillar lymphoma revealed by a peritonsillar abscess. CASE REPORT: A 66-year-old woman, without history of recurrent tonsillitis, was admitted for right peritonsillar abscess with fever. She underwent incision-drainage of the abscess with 10 days' intravenous antibiotics. As tonsillar hypertrophy persisted, tonsillectomy was performed; histology with immunohistochemical examination found tonsillar lymphoma. DISCUSSION/ CONCLUSION: Possible tumoral etiology should be considered in any peritonsillar abscess occurring in an atypical subject. Acute-stage tonsillectomy enables early diagnosis.
INTRODUCTION: Peritonsillar abscess is generally seen as a complication of acute tonsillitis in young subjects. It may, however, in rare cases reveal a malignant tumor of the tonsil: most often squamous cell carcinoma or, more rarely, lymphoma. We report a rare case of tonsillar lymphoma revealed by a peritonsillar abscess. CASE REPORT: A 66-year-old woman, without history of recurrent tonsillitis, was admitted for right peritonsillar abscess with fever. She underwent incision-drainage of the abscess with 10 days' intravenous antibiotics. As tonsillar hypertrophy persisted, tonsillectomy was performed; histology with immunohistochemical examination found tonsillar lymphoma. DISCUSSION/ CONCLUSION: Possible tumoral etiology should be considered in any peritonsillar abscess occurring in an atypical subject. Acute-stage tonsillectomy enables early diagnosis.