title: Tonsillitis to mediastinitis.
abstract: Parapharyngeal abscess secondary to quinsy is a well understood complication; however, its incidence has significantly declined following early use of effective antibiotics. Tracking of infection from the parapharyngeal space through the anatomical planes to cause mediastinitis has a significant mortality rate and requires early detection and aggressive management. A case of quinsy leading to mediastinitis, pericarditis and pleural effusions is presented. It highlights the potentially life-threatening complications of a commonly encountered ENT problem.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK. Jacqueline.collin@nuh.nhs.uk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Collin
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Beasley
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000209:etiology*; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000150:complications*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000150:complications