title: Parapharyngeal abscess in an insulin dependant diabetic patient following an elective tonsillectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate a potentially life-threatening complication following tonsillectomy in a diabetic patient and discuss the possible pathogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report and review of the world literature concerning parapharyngeal abscess post-tonsillectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 20-year-old female patient underwent an uneventful tonsillectomy following a history of recurrent tonsillitis. She re-presented 14 days post-surgery with a large erythematous tender right mid cervical neck swelling. Clinical and radiological evaluation confirmed a parapharyngeal abscess. She proceeded to have an incision and drainage of the abscess through a horizontal skin crease incision and subsequent intravenous antibiotic therapy. She was discharged home well three days post-surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diabetes mellitus is a well-recognised systemic disease that may leave an individual more susceptible to infection. We report the first case in a young healthy diabetic patient and highlight a potential serious complication following a routine tonsillectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford, Ireland. fglynn@rcsi.ie
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Glynn
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*