| Tonsil stones | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Tonsillolith, tonsillolithiasis, tonsillar stones, chronic caseous tonsillitis |
 | |
| A tonsillolith lodged in the tonsillar crypt | |
| Specialty | Otorhinolaryngology |
| Symptoms | None, bad breath[1] |
| Risk factors | Recurrent throat infections[2] |
| Differential diagnosis | Calcified granulomatous disease, mycosis, syphilis[2] |
| Treatment | None, gargling with salt water, tonsillectomy[1] |
| Medication | Chlorhexidine[1] |
| Frequency | Up to 10%[1] |
Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are mineralization of debris within the crevices of the tonsils.[1][3] When not mineralized, the presence of debris is known as chronic caseous tonsillitis (CCT).[1] Symptoms may include bad breath.[1] Generally there is no pain, though there may be the feeling of something present.[1]
Risk factors may include recurrent throat infections.[2] Tonsil stones contain a biofilm composed of a number of different bacteria.[1] While they most commonly occur in the palatine tonsils, they may also occur in the lingual tonsils.[3] Tonsil stones have been recorded weighing from 0.3 g to 42 g.[3] They may be found during medical imaging for other reasons.[4]
If tonsil stones do not bother a person, no treatment is needed.[1] Otherwise gargling salt water and manual removal may be tried.[1] Chlorhexidine may also be tried.[1] Surgical treatment may include partial or complete tonsil removal.[1][5] Up to 10% of people have tonsil stones.[1] Males and females are affected equally.[1] Older people are more commonly affected.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Ferguson, M; Aydin, M; Mickel, J (October 2014). "Halitosis and the tonsils: a review of management". Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 151 (4): 567–74. doi:10.1177/0194599814544881. PMID 25096359.
- ^ a b c d White, Stuart C.; Pharoah, Michael J. (2014). Oral Radiology - E-Book: Principles and Interpretation. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 527. ISBN 978-0-323-09634-8. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- ^ a b c Ram S, Siar CH, Ismail SM, Prepageran N (July 2004). "Pseudo bilateral tonsilloliths: a case report and review of the literature". Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 98 (1): 110–4. doi:10.1016/j.tripleo.2003.11.015. PMID 15243480.
- ^ Textbook of Oral Radiology. Elsevier India. 2009. p. 607. ISBN 978-81-312-1148-9. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- ^ Wong Chung, JERE; van Benthem, PPG; Blom, HM (May 2018). "Tonsillotomy versus tonsillectomy in adults suffering from tonsil-related afflictions: a systematic review". Acta Oto-Laryngologica. 138 (5): 492–501. doi:10.1080/00016489.2017.1412500. PMID 29241412.