Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gvvz8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T00:16:57.006Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Management of spontaneous tonsillar bleeding: review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 January 2010

A Salem*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK
S Healy
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK
H Pau
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Amr Salem, 31 Hyde House, Singapore Road, London W13 0UP, UK. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Objective:

To formulate a management plan for spontaneous tonsillar bleeding.

Method:

A Medline search was performed and all literature reviewed.

Results:

Seventeen publications were identified worldwide, describing 55 cases of spontaneous tonsillar bleeding.

Conclusion:

Although spontaneous tonsillar bleeding is a rare presentation, it is documented in the literature. Reported cases indicate an increased incidence in young patients, associated with a higher mortality rate. We propose a management plan for this potentially fatal condition.

Type
Review Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Salinger, S, Pearlman, SJ. Haemorrhage from pharyngeal and peritonsillar abscesses. Arch Otolaryngol 1933;18:464509CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2Lee, KD, Lee, HS, Hong, JC, Yu, TH, Lee, HH, Chun, BG et al. Diameter of vessels across the tonsillar capsule as an anatomical consideration for tonsillectomy. Clin Anat 2008;21:33–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Ozdemeir, I, Ercun, MT, Kaya, S. Measurement of tonsillar blood flow in normal pathological conditions by the use of the 133/XE clearance technique. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 1985;242:53–6CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4Byard, RW. Tonsillitis and sudden childhood death. J Forensic Leg Med 2008;15:516–18CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Rocha, SC, Dell'Aringa, AR, Nardi, JC, Kobari, K, de Melo, C. Spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage [in Portuguese]. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2007;73:287CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6McCormick, MS, Hassett, P. Spontaneous haemorrhage from the tonsil (a case report). J Laryngol Otol 1987;101:613–16CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Kumra, V, Vastola, AP, Keiserman, S, Lucente, FE. Spontaneous tonsillar hemorrhage. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2001;124:51–2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8Dawlatly, EE, Satti, MB, Bohliga, LA. Spontaneous tonsillar hemorrhage: an underdiagnosed condition. J Otolaryngol 1998;27:270–4Google ScholarPubMed
9Levy, S, Brodsky, L, Stanievich, J. Hemorrhagic tonsillitis. Laryngoscope 1989;99:1518CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10Seuno, K, Yamada, Y, Yamaguchi, T, Yamaguchi, S, Nomura, Y. Spontaneous tonsillar hemorrhage [in Japanese]. Practica Otologica (Kyoto) 2003;96:427–34CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11Murty, GE, Samani, NJ, Moloney, JR. Bleeding, tonsils. BMJ 1991;302:236CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12Jurkiewicz-Lobodzinska, M, Gerwel, A, Siewruk-Kalicka, A. Bleeding as an initial symptom of tonsillar carcinoma [in Polish]. Otolaryngol Pol 2007;61:315–18Google ScholarPubMed
13Griffies, WS, Wotowic, PW, Wildes, TO. Spontaneous tonsillar hemorrhage. Laryngoscope 1988;98:365–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14John, DG, Thomas, PL, Semeraro, D. Tonsillar haemorrhage and measles. J Laryngol Otol 1988;102:64–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15Shatz, A. Spontaneous tonsillar bleeding; secondary to acute tonsillitis in children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1993;26:181–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16Jawad, J, Blayney, AW. Spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage in acute tonsillitis. J Laryngol Otol 1994;108:791–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17Koay, CB, Norval, F. An unusual presentation of an unusual complication of infectious mononucleosis: haematemesis and melaena. J Laryngol Otol 1995;109:335–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18Suh, KW, Djalilian, M, Lake, CF, Devine, KD. Bleeding as an initial sign of carcinoma of the tonsil. Report of a case. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1974;38:695–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19Kelly, PC, Sanders, M. Tonsillar hemorrhage. Unusual complication of infectious mononucleosis. N Y State J Med 1974;74:2021–2Google ScholarPubMed
20Vaughan, MM, Parker, AJ. Idiopathic spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage. J Laryngol Otol 1993;107:44–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21Fiumara, NJ, Walker, EA. Primary syphilis of the tonsil. Arch Otolaryngol 1982;108:43–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22Viers, WA. Primary syphilis of the tonsil: presentation of four cases. Laryngoscope 1981;91:1507–11CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23Rowlands, RG, Hicklin, L, Hinton, AE. Novel use of nebulized adrenaline in the treatment of secondary oropharyngeal haemorrhage. J Laryngol Otol 2002;116:123–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed