Septic necrosis of the internal carotid artery: a complication of peritonsillar abscess.
Septic necrosis of the internal carotid artery is a major complication of peritonsillar abscess. Although once a common complication, its occurrence is rare since the introduction of antibiotics. A 12-year-old girl was referred to our institution after a false aneurysm of the internal carotid artery had been entered during routine tonsillectomy for a peritonsillar abscess. Review of the literature and features of the present case demonstrate the following findings suggestive of erosion of the internal carotid artery as a result of peritonsillar abscess: (1) spontaneous hemorrhage from a peritonsillar abscess, (2) persistent peritonsillar swelling after resolution of symptoms of peritonsillar abscess, (3) ipsilateral Horner's syndrome, and (4) otherwise unexplained cranial nerve palsies (nerves IX, X, XI, and XII).
D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009336:Necrosis; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000150:complications*