Vascular Complications of Parapharyngeal Abscesses

Abstract

A Dutch newspaper article reports serious complications, presumably due to internal carotid artery perforation, following poking a parapharyngeal abscess in a 15-year-old boy. The patient cannot walk and speak anymore and stays in a rehabilitation Centre. His parents are going in court with the hospital denying responsibility. An impressive picture concerning the impact on daily life of the patient and his family is presented. Diagnosis, treatment, management and vascular complications are briefly reviewed in general, showing multiple decision moments in this process. Open communication is a prerequisite in these matters. Backdoor reports and politics do not prevent calamities in the near future.This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License OJOR.MS.ID.000506.