Background: Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide. However, it can potentially be associated with several complications. One of the very rare complications post-tonsillectomy in adults is subcutaneous emphysema, as in our case here. Although, most reported cases are resolved spontaneously, it may lead to fatal complications, like tension pneumothorax.
Assessment of a patient who has attempted suicide by hanging is an important emergency room call for an otorhinolaryngologist. As a norm, it is the neck that is assessed first in such a patient. Here, we discuss the otoscopic findings of petechiae of the tympanic membrane in these patients, which will help in finding the severity of the hanging, which in turn will be helpful to provide round-the-clock careful vigilant care for these patients.
How to cite this article
Stephen V, Abraham SS, Naik PP, Kurien M. Petechial Hemorrhage of Tympanic Membrane in a Case of Attempted Suicide by Hanging: A Sign of Severity. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2017;9(1):15-16.
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