top of page

Chronic tonsillitis

SATHISH KUMAR

Updated: Dec 30, 2024


Tonsils are a pair of lymphoid tissue present in the lateral wall of the oropharynx between the anterior and posterior pillars. The main functions of the tonsils are to provide local immunity and to act as a surveillance mechanism to pick up antigens. Being active in childhood, these tend to be large and get recurrently inflamed. This may affect regular activities of the individual; in which case they need to be removed.

Causes:

  • As a complication of acute tonsillitis.

  • Subclinical infections of tonsils without an acute attack.

Symptoms:

  • Recurrent attacks of sore throat or acute tonsillitis.

  • Chronic irritation in throat with cough.

  • Bad taste in mouth and foul breath (halitosis) due to pus in crypts.

  • Thick speech, difficulty in swallowing, snoring and choking spells at night (when tonsils are large and obstructive).

Signs:

  • Tonsils may show varying degree of enlargement sometimes meeting in the midline.

  • There may be yellowish beads of pus on the medial surface of tonsil.

  • Enlargement of jugulodigastric lymph nodes is a reliable sign of chronic tonsillitis. During acute attacks, the nodes enlarge further and become tender.

Investigations:

X-ray nasopharynx to rule out concomitant enlargement of the adenoids.

Management:

Conservative treatment consists of attention to general health, diet, treatment of coexistent infection of teeth, nose and sinuses. Tonsillectomy is indicated when tonsils interfere with speech, deglutition and respiration or cause recurrent attacks.

0 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Tonsillectomy

What is it? A tonsillectomy is a surgical operation in which the tonsils are excised from the back of the mouth, leaving no external...

Total laryngectomy with neck dissection

What is it? Total Laryngectomy is a surgery done as a part of management of cancer of the voice box. This surgery involves the complete...

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
bottom of page