What is parenchymatous tonsillitis?
Inflammation of the TONSILS as a result of infection with one of a range of organisms. The tonsils are swollen and red and pus may be seen exuding from the tonsillar pits (crypts). There is pain in the throat, especially on swallowing, and often fever and headache.
Can tonsillitis be unilateral?
Unilateral tonsillar swelling is a fairly common presenting complaint in an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department. It may or may not be associated with any other symptoms. Most of the time, the tonsil asymmetry is secondary to previous history of tonsillitis, quinsy, and tonsil stones.
Why do children get recurrent tonsillitis?
Researchers have identified immunologic factors that predispose certain children to recurrent tonsil infections caused by group A streptococci bacteria. While nearly everyone is exposed to strep bacteria during childhood, only some children develop recurrent tonsillitis.
Are asymmetrical tonsils normal?
Occasionally there is unilateral tonsillar enlargement or asymmetry. Significant asymmetry of the tonsils, especially if there is rapid enlargement, may portend a serious underlying disorder such as lymphoma, lipid storage disease, or Langerhan cell histiocytosis.
What is exudative tonsillitis?
Tonsillar exudate is a fluid secreted by the tonsils in response to infection or inflammation. Various types of bacterial infections and viral infections cause tonsillitis, or the inflammation of the tonsils, which then results in secretion of tonsillar exudate.
What are the complications of tonsillitis?
What other problems (complications) can tonsillitis cause?
- Peritonsillar abscess (“Quinsy”)
- Rheumatic Fever.
- Post-streptococcal arthritis.
- Post-streptococcal Glomerulonephritis.
- Scarlet Fever.
- Toxic Shock Syndrome.
- Ear infections and sinusitis.
- Meningitis and brain abscess.
Can tonsillitis only affect one tonsil?
You have two tonsils, one on each side of your throat, just behind your tongue. Sometimes tonsillitis only affects one tonsil, creating a sore throat on one side. Tonsillitis is usually caused by a viral infection, but bacterial infections can cause it as well.
What causes unilateral tonsil swelling?
Unilateral tonsillar enlargement may result from infection, chronic inflammatory response, or neoplasm. Neoplasms that commonly produce a unilaterally enlarged tonsil include lymphomas (lymphocytic and histiocytic types) and squamous cell carcinomas.
Is tonsillitis an autoimmune disorder?
Although in the past, the terms “focal tonsillitis” or “tonsillar focal infection” were used, today, these are commonly referred to as tonsillar focal diseases, and they encompass an autoimmune and inflammatory disease syndrome that is triggered by the breakdown of immune tolerance to resident bacteria in the tonsils.
How can I stop recurring tonsillitis?
Your physician will generally only recommend a tonsillectomy if you experience chronic or recurrent tonsillitis, or if tonsillitis has caused complications or symptoms don’t improve. If you’ve had tonsillitis or strep throat at least 5 to 7 times in the past year, a tonsillectomy may help you to stop these recurrences.
Why is one tonsil higher than the other?
Tonsillar asymmetry: Occasionally one tonsil can be bigger than the other. In the vast majority of cases, this is due to previous infection, or slight differences in the anatomy of the tonsil bed on each side. Tumours or cancers of the tonsil are very rare.
Is it normal for a child to have one enlarged tonsil?
The tonsils and adenoids may enlarge (become bigger) because of an infection or other cause or may be large at birth. Enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids is common among children and typically does not need any treatment. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids in children may result from infections but may be normal.