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Squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and larynx presenting as a neck abscess or cellulitis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

W. C. Lee ,
R. M Walsh  and
A. Tse
W. C. Lee*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
R. M Walsh
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
A. Tse
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Mr. W. C. Lee, Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, Shrewsbury, SY1 1JS. Fax: 01743 357925
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Abstract

Head and neck tumours presenting as a neck abscess or cellulitis are extremely rare. We report two cases of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma which presented as an abscess in the site of metastatic neck nodes, one of which was occult and a third case of squamous cell carcinoma of the pyriform fossa which presented as cervical cellulitis. Biopsy of the abscess wall at the time of drainage and careful follow-up may lead to an earlier diagnosis of occult carcinoma.

Keywords

Head and neck neoplasmsAbscessCarcinoma, squamous cell
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 110 , Issue 9 , September 1996 , pp. 893 - 895
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1996

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