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Tornari C, Wong G, Arora A, et al. A unique complication of radiofrequency therapy to the tongue base. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2015;8:9-12doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2014.12.039.
Tornari, C., Wong, G., Arora, A., & Kotecha, B. (2015). A unique complication of radiofrequency therapy to the tongue base. International journal of surgery case reports, 89-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2014.12.039
Tornari, Chrysostomos, et al. "A unique complication of radiofrequency therapy to the tongue base." International journal of surgery case reports vol. 8 (2015): 9-12. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2014.12.039
Tornari C, Wong G, Arora A, Kotecha B. A unique complication of radiofrequency therapy to the tongue base. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2015;8:9-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2014.12.039. Epub 2015 Jan 08. PMID: 25603484; PMCID: PMC4353955.
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Int J Surg Case Rep. 2015;8:9-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2014.12.039. Epub 2015 Jan 08.

A unique complication of radiofrequency therapy to the tongue base.

International journal of surgery case reports

Chrysostomos Tornari, Gentle Wong, Asit Arora, Bhik Kotecha

Affiliations

  1. Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
  2. Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, UK.

PMID: 25603484 PMCID: PMC4353955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2014.12.039

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency ablation treatment of the tongue base can be used either alone or as part of a multilevel approach in the treatment of snoring. This involves the generation of thermal energy around the circumvallate papillae of the tongue. Potential complications include ulceration, dysphagia, haematoma and abscess formation.

PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present the case of a 50-year-old patient who developed an anterior neck swelling following a second application of radiofrequency ablation therapy to the tongue base for snoring. This was secondary to an infection of a previously undiagnosed thyroglossal cyst. The patient made a full recovery following intravenous antibiotic therapy and ultrasound-guided needle aspiration.

DISCUSSION: Thyroglossal tract remnants are thought to be present in seven percent of the adult population. An infection in a thyroglossal tract cyst has not previously been reported following radiofrequency ablation of the tongue base. Given the relatively high complication rate of tongue base radiofrequency ablation in some series, this complication may be under-recognised.

CONCLUSION: An infected thyroglossal tract cyst should be suspected in patients with anterior neck swellings following radiofrequency ablation therapy to the tongue base. We advise caution when performing this procedure on patients with known thyroglossal tract remnants though there is insufficient evidence to suggest that this procedure is contraindicated.

Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Ablation; Cyst; Radiofrequency; Snoring; Thyroglossal; Tongue

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