Spontaneous tonsillar hemorrhage: an underdiagnosed condition.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to review the clinical profile of patients diagnosed with spontaneous tonsillar hemorrhage (STH).


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective review of all cases presenting with tonsillar hemorrhage at KFHU between February 1992 and January 1997.


RESULTS
Spontaneous tonsillar hemorrhage was diagnosed in four patients, two children and two adults, all females. Spontaneous tonsillar hemorrhage was associated with an acute febrile illness in the children. A bleeding ulcer was suspicious of malignancy in one adult, and no underlying cause was found in the other. All had tonsillectomy and histologically proven sepsis.


CONCLUSIONS
Spontaneous tonsillar hemorrhage is an uncommon emergency complication of tonsillar sepsis. Awareness of the condition by practising otolaryngologists will reduce unwarranted prolonged invasive investigations. Tonsillectomy is the definitive mode of treatment.
Dawlatly
E E
EE
Department of Otolaryngology, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.
Satti
M B
MB
Bohliga
L A
LA
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D014066:Palatine Tonsil; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000150:complications