Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-15T11:20:02.148Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Limitations of imaging for foreign bodies in parapharyngeal abscess and the importance of surgical exploration

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

U. F. Coales*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, St George's Hospital, London, UK
P. Tandon
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, St George's Hospital, London, UK
A. E. Hinton
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, St George's Hospital, London, UK
*
Address for correspondence: U. F. Coales, F.R.C.S. (Ed.), ENT Department, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0QT

Abstract

A rare cause of parapharyngeal abscess in association with a wooden skewer is presented. Despite the use of both ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scanning as diagnostic tools, the foreign body could not be identified. Only through a meticulous exploration of the neck was the foreign body located. The importance of surgical exploration even with negative imaging is discussed.

Type
Radiology in Focus
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1999

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

Choi, S. S., Vezina, L. G., Grundfast, K. M. (1997) Relative incidence and alternative approaches for surgical drainage of different types of deep neck abscesses in children. Archives of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery 123(12): 12711275.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gidley, P. W., Ghorayeb, B. Y., Stiernberg, C. M. (1997) Contemporary management of deep neck space infections. Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery 116(1): 1622.Google ScholarPubMed
Goldenberg, D., Golz, A., Joachims, H. Z. (1997) Retropharyngeal abscess: a clinical review. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 111(6): 546550.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lazor, J. B., Cunningham, R. D. E., Weber, A. L. (1994) Comparison of computer tomography and surgical findings in deep neck infections. Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery 111(6): 746750.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sethi, D. S., Stanley, R. E. (1994) Deep neck abscesses – changing trends. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 108(2): 138143.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sichel, J. Y., Gomori, J. M., Saah, D., Elidan, J. (1996) Parapharyngeal abscess in children: The role of CT for diagnosis and treatment. International Journal of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology 35(3): 213222.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Singh, B., Kantu, M, Har-El, G., Lucente, F. E. (1997) Complications associated with 327 foreign bodies of the pharynx, larynx and oesophagus. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology 106(4): 301304.CrossRefGoogle Scholar