Tonsil hypertrophy and chronically recurrent tonsillitis

What is it about?

Tonsil hypertrophy means enlarged palatine tonsils; in chronically recurrent tonsillitis the palatine tonsils become inflamed repeatedly. Both findings can narrow the throat and make swallowing and breathing harder, yet they are two different conditions.

Diagnosis

Assessment is made by inspection of the throat, documentation of the number and intervals of infections, and examination of nasal breathing and snoring; if needed, sleep testing is added.

When is tonsillotomy considered?

A tonsillotomy – partial removal of the tonsil tissue – may be considered when enlarged palatine tonsils obstruct breathing during sleep, or when infections of the palatine tonsils recur frequently and are burdensome. The decision depends on how often infections occur, how strong the obstruction is, and how the child develops.

Treatment options

If complaints are minor, observation and treatment of triggers such as allergies come first. For marked obstruction or repeated infections, partial or complete removal of the palatine tonsil may be considered; the choice of procedure is decided medically in the individual case.