title: Peritonsillar haematoma.
abstract: We present one patient who was admitted with a peritonsillar haematoma as a complication of acute tonsillitis and concomitant warfarin therapy for prosthetic aortic valves. While tonsillar haemorrhage as a result of acute tonsillitis has been well described, no cases of isolated haematoma formation have been documented, nor has it been recognized previously as a complication of long-term anticoagulant therapy. We discuss establishing the diagnosis, the likely aetiology and implications of this complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Victoria Infirmary N.H.S. Trust, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fergie
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kell
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000473:pathology; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin