Lymphoma presenting as a peritonsillar abscess - 06/12/13

Doi : 10.1016/j.anorl.2012.09.012

S. Kallel ^a,^⁎ , H. Hadj Taieb ^a, S. Makni ^b, A. Ghorbel ^a
^a Service ORL et chirurgie cervico-faciale, CHU Habib-Bourguiba, route El Ain km 0,5, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
^b Laboratoire d’anatomie pathologique, CHU Habib-Bourguiba, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia

^⁎Corresponding author. Tel.: +21622818498.

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Summary

Introduction

Peritonsillar abscess is generally seen as a complication of acute tonsillitis in young subjects. It may, however, in rare cases reveal a malignant tumor of the tonsil: most often squamous cell carcinoma or, more rarely, lymphoma. We report a rare case of tonsillar lymphoma revealed by a peritonsillar abscess.

Case report

A 66-year-old woman, without history of recurrent tonsillitis, was admitted for right peritonsillar abscess with fever. She underwent incision-drainage of the abscess with 10 days’ intravenous antibiotics. As tonsillar hypertrophy persisted, tonsillectomy was performed; histology with immunohistochemical examination found tonsillar lymphoma.

Discussion/Conclusion

Possible tumoral etiology should be considered in any peritonsillar abscess occurring in an atypical subject. Acute-stage tonsillectomy enables early diagnosis.

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Keywords : Peritonsillar abscess, Lymphoma, Tonsillectomy