Approximately 6 weeks after an uncomplicated tonsillectomy for chronic tonsillitis, a 37-year-old woman presented to our emergency department with complaints of odynophagia and cervical pain persistent since surgery. Computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging revealed cervical spinal osteomyelitis with epidural abscess at C2 to 3. The patient underwent treatment with intravenous antibiotics, operative debridement, and cervical spinal stabilization. She recovered with no neurologic deficit.
Conclusions: Significant infectious complications of tonsillectomy are uncommon, and cervical spinal osteomyelitis and epidural abscess are exceptionally rare occurrences. In the presence of prolonged pain and dysphagia, imaging can be considered to evaluate for such sequelae.