Bacteremia IS Present During Tonsillectomy!

@ENTHouse brought to my attention a very interesting research regarding the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream during tonsillectomy , both elective and quinsy. Elective tonsillectomy is when the tonsils are removed in the absence of any significant infection. Quinsy tonsillectomy is when the tonsils are removed in the setting of a peritonsillar abscess . The research involved obtaining blood cultures, tonsillar swabs, core tissue, and pus aspirates during the operation on 80 patient…

8/22/2012 0

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Lemierre's Syndrome on CT Scan

Lemierre's Syndrome is a constellation of signs involving the bacteria Fusobacterium necrophorum. The syndrome usually begins with tonsillitis that progresses to an infected clot in the adjacent jugular vein. Bits of the infected clot break off and spread throughout the body spreading the infection. If it gets bad enough, sepsis may occur. Here is a CT scan showing the key sign of a clotted off jugular vein indicating Lemierre's syndrome (red arrow). A normal appearing jugular vein …

5/17/2010 0

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