Anzeige
Erschienen in:
21.07.2015 | Images in Infection
Necrotizing herpes-simplex virus tonsillitis mimicking peritonsillar abscess
Erschienen in: Infection | Ausgabe 2/2016
Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhaltenExcerpt
A 63-year-old neutropenic woman under treatment with cytarabin and idarubicin for acute myeloid leukemia complained of left-sided throat pain and increasing difficulties in swallowing. She was already receiving cefepime and metronidazole for neutropenic fever. Physical examination revealed a febrile patient with an enlarged fibrinous coated medially displaced left tonsil in the absence of oral blisters. A computed tomography demonstrated a peritonsillar abscess formation (Fig. 1a). Needle aspiration of the peritonsillar collection was unsuccessful making a tonsillectomy mandatory. The tonsil appeared brittle and disaggregated in several pieces while performing tonsillectomy. No purulent discharge was seen during the procedure.
Fig. 1
Radiological and histological presentation of the necrotizing herpes-simplex tonsillitis. a Computed tomography (CT) of the neck. The arrow head indicates the peritonsillar abscess. b Hematoxylin and eosin stained tonsillar tissue (×20 magnification). Arrows indicate multinucleated cells. Stars indicate intranuclear inclusion bodies. c Immunoperoxidase staining (polyclonal anti-herpes simplex antibody) with hematoxylin counterstain of tonsillar tissue (×20 magnification). Arrows indicate multinucleated cells. Stars indicate intranuclear inclusion bodies
× ![]()
…