Otolaryngologic clinical patterns in pediatric infectious mononucleosis.
OBJECTIVE
Classic infectious mononucleosis (IM) is uncommon in children; therefore, the incidence of severe pharyngotonsillitis complicating the infection is not well established. This study was undertaken to better define the management of complications with special emphasis on the use of parenteral steroids and the role and timing of surgical management.


METHODS
A retrospective review of all cases of IM encountered between January 1989 through December 1993 was undertaken.


RESULTS
There were 109 patients admitted with IM. Sixty patients (55%) were admitted for severe pharyngotonsillitis. Twenty-nine patients in this subgroup were felt to have symptoms of severe upper airway obstruction and were treated with parenteral steroids. Surgical intervention was required in three patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows a higher incidence of admissions for severe pharyngotonsillitis complicating IM than reported in the adult literature. It suggests that routine use of parenteral steroids is indicated in cases of severe upper airway obstruction and may decrease the need for surgical intervention.
Ganzel
T M
TM
Division of Otolaryngology, University of Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
Goldman
J L
JL
Padhya
T A
TA
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy