Severe obstructive sleep apnoea due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy after liver transplantation

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Dec 4:2012:bcr2012007059. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-007059.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus-related adenotonsillar hypertrophy is a precursor to post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder. We report a case of a 4-year-old child with severe obstructive sleep apnoea, who had liver transplantation at the age of 7 months. She had gross lymphoid hypertrophy in the oropharynx and supraglottis. We performed an adenotonsillectomy and aryepiglottoplasty which improved her symptoms. We emphasise the importance to consider the diagnosis of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder in post-transplantation immunosuppressed patients who present with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoids / pathology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy / etiology
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Palatine Tonsil / pathology*
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / etiology*