Hemorrhagic tonsillitis in an infant: A case report

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Emergency Medicine
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Hemorrhagic tonsillitis is a rare condition, particularly in infants.
• Severe tonsillar bleeding can lead to significant blood loss and requires prompt intervention.

Observation:

• A 9-month-old infant presented with severe bleeding from the mouth and nose, with a history of hematemesis.
• Initial assessment ruled out epistaxis; however, rapid oropharyngeal blood pooling indicated significant hemorrhage.
• Flexible rhinolaryngoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) were performed for diagnosis and hemorrhage control.

Findings:

• Bleeding originated from a blood vessel at the left lower tonsil pole.
• The infant required emergent operative intervention for hemorrhage control.
• This is the youngest reported case of severe hemorrhagic tonsillitis necessitating emergency surgery.

Implications:

• This case underscores the diagnostic challenges in infants with active hemorrhage.
• Highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach in managing critical pediatric cases.
• Emphasizes the rarity and severity of tonsillar hemorrhage in the pediatric population, especially in infants.