Question: Ive had some intermittent throat pain and ear pain for the last 5-6 weeks. I initially went to my doctor in mid November. He ran blood tests (all normal results) and also sent me for a CT scan of neck / larynx with contrast and the results were as follows.

Findings

Bilateral tonsillar calcifications are present consistent with past inflammatory episode. No abscess present. The parapharyngeal fat planes are intact and symmetrical.
No abnormality detected in the visualised lower brain, nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx, thyroid, right and left submandibular and parotid glands. No calculus seen. There is no cystic or solid or suspicious mass. No cervical lymphadenopathy. The carotid arteries and internal jugular veins are within normal limits. Lung apices are clear. No foreign body or abnormal soft tissue gas. Petrous temporal bones appear clear. There is a retention cyst or polyp in the right maxillary antrum and some minor mucosal swelling in the left maxillary antrum. No bony destructive lesion or fracture seen. No retropharyngeal abscess. There is no evidence of Ludwig’s angina.


Conclusion
Unremarkable

The pain then appeared to subside after a few days.

On 22 December, I was then admitted to hospital to have my gall bladder removed. Upon waking from the operation I noticed a very severe throat pain which radiated to my ears again. I noticed my left tonsil was red and had congealed blood on it.

I recently went in for my post operative check up and explained my concerns to the doctor and he said that I had a level 2 intubation and it appears they may have irritated my tonsil and throat during intubation/anaesthesia. He prescribed some antibiotics which I’ve been taking for 6 days.

Im not sure the antibiotics appear to be helping. The pain is still there In throat and ears, after eating and after taking a deep breath. I also notice it is more present when bending my neck forward and after getting up from sleep. Not sure the antibiotics are improving the situation.

Also, About 6 months back I was diagnosed with reflux which I wonder if this is contributing to all of this.

Do you have any thoughts on this?

Thanks doctor

Yes pain with swallowing.

Would ct scan detect any thing more serious like a cancer etc?


Will send picture shortly

Thank you doctor.

I have ct scan only on cd. How do I send to you?

Hello Doctor I wasn’t sure which images to upload. I just received mri report back which I have added to my file. Can you please review

I still have a lot of ear pain and throat pain.

I’m trying not to take pain relief as I do not want to become dependant on it.

Now with ct and MRI both clear, could this still be anything concerning?

Thank you in advance