Tonsillitis natural history, complications and prognosis: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
Line 4: Line 4:


==Natural History==
==Natural History==
An [[abscess]] may develop lateral to the tonsil during an infection, typically several days after the onset of tonsillitis. This is termed a [[peritonsillar abscess]] (or [[quinsy]]).
* Tonsillitis will often run its course, of feverish symptoms accompanied by a sore throat, in a few days.  
Rarely, the infection may spread beyond the tonsil resulting in inflammation and infection of the internal jugular vein giving rise to a spreading [[septicaemia]] infection ([[Lemierre's syndrome]]).  


In chronic/recurrent cases (generally defined as seven episodes of tonsillitis in the preceding year, five episodes in each of the preceding two years or three episodes in each of the preceding three years),<ref>{{cite book | title=Management of Sore Throat and Indications for Tonsillectomy | url=http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/34/index.html | chapter=6.3 Referral Criteria for Tonsillectomy | chapterurl=http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/34/section6.html | publisher=[http://www.sign.ac.uk Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network] | id=ISBN 1-899893-66-0 | year=1999 | month=January}} - notes though that these criteria "have been arrived at arbitrarily" from:<br>{{cite journal |author=Paradise JL, Bluestone CD, Bachman RZ, ''et al'' |title=Efficacy of tonsillectomy for recurrent throat infection in severely affected children. Results of parallel randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=310 |issue=11 |pages=674–83 |year=1984 |pmid=6700642 |doi=}}</ref><ref name="pmid12093941">{{cite journal |author=Paradise JL, Bluestone CD, Colborn DK, Bernard BS, Rockette HE, Kurs-Lasky M |title=Tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy for recurrent throat infection in moderately affected children |journal=Pediatrics |volume=110 |issue=1 Pt 1 |pages=7–15 |year=2002 |pmid=12093941 |doi=10.1542/peds.110.1.7}} - this later study by the same team looked at less severely affected children and concluded "modest benefit conferred by tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy in children moderately affected with recurrent throat infection seems not to justify the inherent risks, morbidity, and cost of the operations"</ref><ref name="pmid15195718">{{cite journal |author=Wolfensberger M, Mund MT |title=[Evidence based indications for tonsillectomy] |language=German |journal=Ther Umsch |volume=61 |issue=5 |pages=325–8 |year=2004 |pmid=15195718 |doi=}} - review of literature of the past 25 years concludes "No consensus has yet been reached, however, about the number of annual episodes that justify tonsillectomy"</ref> or in acute cases where the palatine tonsils become so swollen that swallowing is impaired, a [[tonsillectomy]] can be performed to remove the tonsils. Patients whose tonsils have been removed are certainly still protected from infection by the rest of their immune system.
* In certain cases, an [[abscess]] may develop lateral to the tonsil during an infection, typically several days after the onset of tonsillitis. This is termed a [[peritonsillar abscess]] (or [[quinsy]]). Rarely, the infection may spread beyond the tonsil resulting in inflammation and infection of the internal jugular vein giving rise to a spreading [[septicaemia]] infection ([[Lemierre's syndrome]]).  


[[Bacteria]] feeding on [[mucus]] which accumulates in pits (referred to as "crypts") in the tonsils may produce whitish-yellow deposits known as [[tonsillolith]]s. These may emit an odor due to the presence of [[Volatility (chemistry)|volatile]] [[sulfur]] compounds.
* In chronic/recurrent cases (generally defined as seven episodes of tonsillitis in the preceding year, five episodes in each of the preceding two years or three episodes in each of the preceding three years),<ref>{{cite book | title=Management of Sore Throat and Indications for Tonsillectomy | url=http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/34/index.html | chapter=6.3 Referral Criteria for Tonsillectomy | chapterurl=http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/34/section6.html | publisher=[http://www.sign.ac.uk Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network] | id=ISBN 1-899893-66-0 | year=1999 | month=January}} - notes though that these criteria "have been arrived at arbitrarily" from:<br>{{cite journal |author=Paradise JL, Bluestone CD, Bachman RZ, ''et al'' |title=Efficacy of tonsillectomy for recurrent throat infection in severely affected children. Results of parallel randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=310 |issue=11 |pages=674–83 |year=1984 |pmid=6700642 |doi=}}</ref><ref name="pmid12093941">{{cite journal |author=Paradise JL, Bluestone CD, Colborn DK, Bernard BS, Rockette HE, Kurs-Lasky M |title=Tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy for recurrent throat infection in moderately affected children |journal=Pediatrics |volume=110 |issue=1 Pt 1 |pages=7–15 |year=2002 |pmid=12093941 |doi=10.1542/peds.110.1.7}} - this later study by the same team looked at less severely affected children and concluded "modest benefit conferred by tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy in children moderately affected with recurrent throat infection seems not to justify the inherent risks, morbidity, and cost of the operations"</ref><ref name="pmid15195718">{{cite journal |author=Wolfensberger M, Mund MT |title=[Evidence based indications for tonsillectomy] |language=German |journal=Ther Umsch |volume=61 |issue=5 |pages=325–8 |year=2004 |pmid=15195718 |doi=}} - review of literature of the past 25 years concludes "No consensus has yet been reached, however, about the number of annual episodes that justify tonsillectomy"</ref> or in acute cases where the palatine tonsils become so swollen that swallowing is impaired, a [[tonsillectomy]] can be performed to remove the tonsils. Patients whose tonsils have been removed are certainly still protected from infection by the rest of their immune system.


[[Organ hypertrophy|Hypertrophy]] of the tonsils can result in snoring, mouth breathing, disturbed sleep, and [[obstructive sleep apnea]], during which the patient stops breathing and experiences a drop in the oxygen content in the bloodstream. A [[tonsillectomy]] can be curative.
* Towards the end of the infection, bacteria feeding on [[mucus]] may accumulate in the pits (referred to as "crypts") of the tonsils may produce whitish-yellow deposits known as [[tonsillolith]]s. These may emit an odor due to the presence of [[Volatility (chemistry)|volatile]] [[sulfur]] compounds.


In very rare cases, diseases like [[rheumatic fever]]<ref name="pharyngitis-cochrane">{{cite journal |author=Del Mar CB, Glasziou PP, Spinks AB |title=Antibiotics for sore throat |journal=[[Cochrane Library|Cochrane Database Syst Rev]] |volume= |issue=2 |pages=CD000023 |year=2004 |pmid=15106140 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD000023.pub2 |url=http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD000023/frame.html}} - Meta-analysis of published research</ref> or [[glomerulonephritis]]<ref name="pmid11344703">{{cite journal |author=Zoch-Zwierz W, Wasilewska A, Biernacka A, ''et al'' |title=[The course of post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis depending on methods of treatment for the preceding respiratory tract infection] |language=Polish |journal=Wiad. Lek. |volume=54 |issue=1-2 |pages=56–63 |year=2001 |pmid=11344703 |doi=}}</ref> can occur. These complications are extremely rare in developed nations but remain a significant problem in poorer nations.<ref>{{cite journal | title=Antibiotics for sore throat to prevent rheumatic fever: Yes or No? How the Cochrane Library can help | journal=CMAJ | month=September 28 | year=2004 | volume=171 | issue=7 | id={{doi|10.1503/cmaj.1041275}} | url=http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/171/7/721 | author=Ohlsson, A. | pages=721}} - Canadian Medical Association Journal  commentary on Cochrane analysis</ref><ref>{{cite journal | title=Treatment of sore throat in light of the Cochrane verdict: is the jury still out? | journal=MJA | year=2002 | volume=177 | issue=9 | pages=512-515| url=http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/177_09_041102/dan10028_fm.html}} - Medical Journal of Australia commentary on Cochrane analysis</ref>
==Complications==
==Complications==
The complications can be listed as:
The complications can be listed as:

Revision as of 15:33, 4 May 2016

Tonsillitis Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Tonsillitis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

X Ray

USG

CT Scan

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Tonsillitis natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Tonsillitis natural history, complications and prognosis

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Tonsillitis natural history, complications and prognosis

CDC on Tonsillitis natural history, complications and prognosis

Tonsillitis natural history, complications and prognosis in the news

Blogs on Tonsillitis natural history, complications and prognosis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Tonsillitis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Tonsillitis natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Natural History

  • Tonsillitis will often run its course, of feverish symptoms accompanied by a sore throat, in a few days.
  • In certain cases, an abscess may develop lateral to the tonsil during an infection, typically several days after the onset of tonsillitis. This is termed a peritonsillar abscess (or quinsy). Rarely, the infection may spread beyond the tonsil resulting in inflammation and infection of the internal jugular vein giving rise to a spreading septicaemia infection (Lemierre's syndrome).
  • In chronic/recurrent cases (generally defined as seven episodes of tonsillitis in the preceding year, five episodes in each of the preceding two years or three episodes in each of the preceding three years),[1][2][3] or in acute cases where the palatine tonsils become so swollen that swallowing is impaired, a tonsillectomy can be performed to remove the tonsils. Patients whose tonsils have been removed are certainly still protected from infection by the rest of their immune system.
  • Towards the end of the infection, bacteria feeding on mucus may accumulate in the pits (referred to as "crypts") of the tonsils may produce whitish-yellow deposits known as tonsilloliths. These may emit an odor due to the presence of volatile sulfur compounds.

Complications

The complications can be listed as:

  • Blocked airway from swollen tonsils

Prognosis

Tonsillitis symptoms due to strep usually get better about 2 or 3 days after you start the antibiotics. Children with strep throat should generally be kept home from school or day care until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours. This helps reduce the spread of illness.

References

  1. "6.3 Referral Criteria for Tonsillectomy". Management of Sore Throat and Indications for Tonsillectomy. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. 1999. ISBN 1-899893-66-0. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); External link in |publisher= (help) - notes though that these criteria "have been arrived at arbitrarily" from:
    Paradise JL, Bluestone CD, Bachman RZ; et al. (1984). "Efficacy of tonsillectomy for recurrent throat infection in severely affected children. Results of parallel randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials". N. Engl. J. Med. 310 (11): 674–83. PMID 6700642.
  2. Paradise JL, Bluestone CD, Colborn DK, Bernard BS, Rockette HE, Kurs-Lasky M (2002). "Tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy for recurrent throat infection in moderately affected children". Pediatrics. 110 (1 Pt 1): 7–15. doi:10.1542/peds.110.1.7. PMID 12093941. - this later study by the same team looked at less severely affected children and concluded "modest benefit conferred by tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy in children moderately affected with recurrent throat infection seems not to justify the inherent risks, morbidity, and cost of the operations"
  3. Wolfensberger M, Mund MT (2004). "[Evidence based indications for tonsillectomy]". Ther Umsch (in German). 61 (5): 325–8. PMID 15195718. - review of literature of the past 25 years concludes "No consensus has yet been reached, however, about the number of annual episodes that justify tonsillectomy"

Template:WH Template:WS