Massive retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy in an infant: an unusual presentation of infectious mononucleosis.
Infectious mononucleosis causing upper airway obstruction due to tonsillar disease and associated lymphadenopathy in adolescents is well recognized. However, infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a young child of six months is rare. The authors present such a case, with massive swelling of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes, that has not been published previously. The patient presented to this department with a short history of an upper respiratory tract infection and mild upper airway obstruction. On examination there was a massive enlargement of the retropharyngeal space with a compromised airway. This was confirmed on X-ray. She made an uneventful recovery following incision and drainage and a short period of endotracheal intubation. Because of the presence of retropharyngeal lymphoid tissue in infancy an alternative site of upper airway obstruction may occur here in this age group.
Lobo
Sudhir
S
Department of Otolaryngology, Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, East Glamorgan, UK. sudhirlobo@aol.com
Williams
H
H
Singh
V
V
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology*; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology*; D011859:Radiography