Hypertrophic Tonsils - Hypertrophy of the Tonsils

hypertrophic means the increase in volume of these organs. In most cases, this condition is caused by an inflammatory process (tonsillitis).

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Hypertrophic tonsils tend to appear enlarged, red and, in some cases, they can touch each other.

The inflammation underlying the increase in tonsillar volume is often attributable to infections: being located in the oropharynx, where they participate in the immune defense of the upper airways, these organs are easily in contact with bacteria and viruses. Tonsillar hypertrophy and inflammation are disorders that occur mainly in children, but can also affect adults.

In addition to swelling, hypertrophic tonsils involve pain when swallowing (dysphagia) and sore throat and whitish or purulent plaques on their surface. It is also not uncommon for general malaise, fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, bad breath to appear. and ear pain.

A "careful clinical evaluation by the otolaryngologist allows to identify the causes and establish suitable therapeutic strategies. If the hypertrophic tonsils are the cause of severe respiratory limitations or recurrent infections resistant to drug treatment, the indication is given to their removal (tonsillectomy).

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Being in a strategic position, the tonsils have the function of forming a first barrier against infections of the upper airways, especially important during childhood, when the immune system is still not very mature. These structures also favor immunization in the against microorganisms coming from outside, which penetrate through the nose and mouth: when inflamed, the tonsils force the body to produce antibodies capable of neutralizing viruses and bacteria. The pharyngeal tonsils, more commonly known as adenoids, also participate in this defense activity against respiratory tract infections.

In some cases, however, the task of the tonsils fails: after repeated bacterial or viral attacks, these can excessively increase in volume (hypertrophy), become chronically inflamed and in turn turn into a focus of infection for other organs or tissues (heart, kidneys, etc.).

, exposure to irritants and, in some cases, gastroesophageal reflux can cause tonsillar hypertrophy. Very rarely, hypertrophic tonsils can be caused by cancer.

It should be noted that hypertrophic tonsils may depend on constitutional factors, therefore they are not always caused by an underlying pathology.