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Spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage due to von Willebrand's disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 November 2009

D L Y Lee ,
G Soo  and
C A van Hasselt
D L Y Lee
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
G Soo
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
C A van Hasselt*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
*
Address for correspondence: Professor C A van Hasselt, 6/F Clinical Science Building, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. Fax: +852 26466312 E-mail: andrewvan@cuhk.edu.hk
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Abstract

Objective:

We report a case of spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage due to underlying von Willebrand's disease, without symptoms or signs of infection.

Method:

Case report and literature review of reported causes of spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage.

Case report:

Spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage is uncommon. Acute bacterial tonsillitis, peri-tonsillar abscess, infectious mononucleosis and idiopathic causes have been reported. Two cases of tonsillitis with underlying bleeding disorders have been reported. We present the first reported case of spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage secondary to von Willebrand's disease, without evidence of tonsillitis.

Conclusion:

Spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage is usually related to infection of the tonsils or peri-tonsillar space. An underlying bleeding disorder should be suspected if no evidence of infection is found.

Keywords

TonsilHemorrhageVon Willebrand's Disease
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 4 , April 2010 , pp. 450 - 452
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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