Squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and larynx presenting as a neck abscess or cellulitis

J Laryngol Otol. 1996 Sep;110(9):893-5. doi: 10.1017/s0022215100135273.

Abstract

Head and neck tumours presenting as a neck abscess or cellulitis are extremely rare. We report two cases of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma which presented as an abscess in the site of metastatic neck nodes, one of which was occult and a third case of squamous cell carcinoma of the pyriform fossa which presented as cervical cellulitis. Biopsy of the abscess wall at the time of drainage and careful follow-up may lead to an earlier diagnosis of occult carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Abscess / etiology*
  • Abscess / pathology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / complications*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cellulitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Cellulitis / etiology*
  • Cellulitis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / complications
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck*
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms / complications
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed