Complications of tonsillitis

Complications of tonsillitis occur due to:
 * local, lymphogenic or hematogenous spread of infection;
 * release of bacterial toxins;
 * immunopathological reaction of the organism.

Complications of tonsillitis can be divided into 2 groups:
 * 1) local complications,
 * 2) general complications

Local complications

 * intratonsillar abscess,
 * peritonsillar abscess or phlegmon (the most common complication of tonsillitis),
 * parapharyngeal abscess or phlegmon,
 * retropharyngeal abscess,
 * abscess or phlegmon of the hypopharynx,
 * oral phlegmon,
 * lymphadenitis with an abscess of the neck.

General complications

 * tonsillogenic sepsis,
 * thrombosis of cavernous sinus,
 * Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS)
 * rheumatic fever.

Links

 * BENEŠ, Jiří. Studijní materiály [online]. ©2007. [cit. 2009]. < http://jirben2.chytrak.cz/materialy/orl_jb.doc >.
 * KLOZAR, Jan, et al. Speciální otorinolaryngologie. 1. vydání. Praha : Galén, 2005. 224 s.  ISBN 80-7262-346-X.