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Parapharyngeal abscess in a previously tonsillectomised child with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome: first reported case

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 November 2007

M Rollin ,
A Majithia  and
M Stearns
M Rollin*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
A Majithia
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
M Stearns
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Matthew Rollin, Pond street, Hampstead, London NW3, 2QG. Fax: 020 7830 2422 E-mail: matthew@rollinfamily.net
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Abstract

Objective:

we present the first reported case of parapharyngeal abscess in a child with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome, an uncommon syndrome of recurrent, self-limiting fever in children.

Method:

Case report and review of the literature to date concerning periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome.

Results:

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome is an incompletely understood syndrome which requires careful and thorough investigation in order to distinguish it from other causes of recurrent fever. There has been much recent debate in the literature over the merits of various treatment strategies, including tonsillectomy.

Conclusion:

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a parapharyngeal abscess in a child with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome, made more significant by the fact that the child had undergone tonsillectomy one year prior. This case provides evidence that tonsillectomy does not protect against one of the more serious complications of oropharyngeal infection in children with this syndrome.

Keywords

PFAPA Syndrome (Periodic FeverAphthous StomatitisPharyngitisAdenitis)Periodic Fever SyndromesPaediatric Fever SyndromesParapharyngeal Abscess

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 122 , Issue 12 , December 2008 , pp. 1381 - 1383
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

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