Epidural Abscess After Injection Pharyngoplasty: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurosurgery
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) affects speech and swallowing due to incomplete closure between oral and nasal cavities.
• Injection pharyngoplasty (IP) is a minimally invasive surgical option for managing VPI.
• Standard IP procedures are generally considered safe with low complication rates.

Observation:

• A patient developed a severe neurological complication after an in-office IP procedure.
• The complication manifested as a life-threatening epidural abscess.
• This adverse event occurred despite the procedure being performed in a standard clinical setting.

Findings:

• The case highlights a rare but severe potential risk associated with injection pharyngoplasty.
• Prompt recognition and management of post-operative neurological symptoms are crucial.
• Epidural abscess formation represents a significant deviation from expected outcomes for IP.

Implications:

• Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for serious complications after IP.
• This case underscores the importance of comprehensive patient monitoring post-procedure.
• Further research may be warranted to explore risk mitigation strategies for injection pharyngoplasty.