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Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human Herpesvirus with worldwide distribution. Primary EBV infection usually occurs early in life and typically presents as infectious mononucleosis consisting of fever, pharyngitis, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. Usually, the disease course is benign and most patients recover uneventfully without any consequent sequel. Method and results: We present a case of an immunologically normal young male in whom an acute EBV infection caused severe pneumonitis. He was treated empirically with Paracetamol, intravenous Ceftriaxone 1 gr/day plus Azithromycin 500 mg/day. Conclusion: EBV-associated pneumonitis is rare, and treatment is usually supportive, whether antiviral agents (such as acyclovir) or steroids would be beneficial remains to be determined.
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Objective. Advanced primary supraglottic tumors (i.e., T3 or T4) have traditionally been treated surgically and postoperative radiotherapy. In the last 2 decades, some patients were treated with chemoradiation avoiding surgery. Case Report. We describe a 55-year old female who presented with respiratory distress and paraplegia seven years after treatment for a T3N0M0 supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma. CT scan showed prevertebral and intraspinal air descending from C4 to D3 vertebras. Epidural and prevertebral abscesses were confirmed by neck exploration. Necrosis was observed in the retropharyngeal, prevertebral, and vertebral tissues. Conclusion. Prevertebral and spinal abscess may result from chemotherapy and radiotherapy to the head and neck. Physicians caring for head and neck cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and radiation should be aware of this rare severe complication.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: An epiglottic abscess is considered a life-threatening medical situation that can cause death by obstruction the upper airways. We describe a 58-year-old man who presented to our hospital with sore throat, dysphagia and dysphonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A fiberoptic laryngoscope (FOL) demonstrated beefy red edematous epiglottis with edema extending from the base of the tongue to the aryepiglottic folds and arytenoids. CT scan showed multiple air bubbles inside the swollen epiglottis, in keeping with the diagnosis of necrotizing epiglottic abscess. RESULTS: Under local anesthesia we performed puncture of the abscess at the tip of the epiglottis. He was dismissed 5days from his admission to the hospital after an improvement was noticed in his epiglottis. CONCLUSION: Treatment consists of airway management if needed under anesthesia and draining of the abscess. An IV antibiotics plus corticosteroids should be administrated the moment a suspicion of epiglottitis is present.