title: Subcutaneous emphysema secondary to tonsillectomy: a case report.
abstract: We report a patient in whom subcutaneous emphysema developed shortly after a tonsillectomy. A 55-year-old female with a chronic tonsillitis underwent a tonsillectomy, and about 8 h after surgery complained of swelling to the left side of the face and neck. There was crepitus and local tenderness in the left side of the neck. A CT scan revealed subcutaneous emphysema. The mechanisms underlying emphysema after tonsillectomy are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, St. Marianna University, Yokohama City Seibu Hospital, 1197-1 Yasashi-cho, Asahi-ku, 241-0811, Yokohama, Japan. hnishino@marianna-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hirohito
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishino
authors.forename: Mutsumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kenmochi
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasugai
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohashi
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000601:surgery*