title: Lingual artery embolization for severe and uncontrollable postoperative tonsillar bleeding.
abstract: We performed emergent angiography of the external carotid artery to evaluate a patient who experienced uncontrollable oropharyngeal bleeding 3 days following an adenotonsillectomy. Angiography demonstrated a left lingual artery disruption and hemorrhage. We then performed a coil embolization of the left lingual artery, which immediately halted the hemorrhage. We conclude that coil embolization is a rapid and effective strategy for the management of massive, uncontrollable postoperative tonsillar bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop St., Suite B-400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2582, USA.
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cahill
mesh_terms: D000233:Adenoidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001158:Arteries / Q000293:injuries; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000098:blood supply*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014059:Tongue / Q000098:blood supply*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*