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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Sore Throat And Nasal Congestion

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Posted on Thu, 16 Apr 2015
Question: Hello,

Ive been having a mildly soar throat on and off for about 2 months now. Some days are better than others; usually mild irritation in throat, mucus, and a sore roof of mouth. I've been to my family physician who has done bloodtests to check for inflammation markers and allergies but has not found anything out of the ordinary. Still I have had this soar throat that just won't go away. I am seeing an ENT specialist at the ending of April but I am very concerned and worried that something is wrong with me. What could cause this persistent soar throat?

Ps.
I am using Flucticasone nasal spray to help me with nasal congestion, it seems that my nose is always a little bit stuffed.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Tonsil remnants. Throat congestion.Treatment reqd.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. The images of your throat show some remnant Tonsil tissue, more in the right tonsillar fossa. There is congestion of the tonsillar pillars and congestion of the posterior pharyngeal wall, base of the uvula and soft palate. Granular pharyngitis is seen on the posterior pharyngeal wall.

2. All this suggests a chronic irritation of the throat. This could be due to a post nasal drip, acid reflux, allergy or a mild infection.

3. A throat swab should be done. Under the cover of antibiotics, a short course of steroids will help. In addition an anti - allergic, mucolytics, anti- inflammatory, medicated gargles and anti reflux medication will be required.

4. Your ENT Specialist may reassess the tonsil remnants if this issue persists.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (16 minutes later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX Bhatti,

Thank you for your quick reply. The right tonsillar fossa that you are talking about is located on the left side of the picture if im correct? In december, when my complains started, I noticed that some of this "tonsil tissue" had appeared; is this normal to appear out of nowhere? Should I be worried about this regrowth in the right tonsillar fossa seeing as that half a year ago I did not notice this? Also back in December when I was in Cuba on a holiday stay the doctor there gave me 5 days worth of antibiotics which did not really help with the throat issues; (the antibiotics brand is called Bacticel and contains Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole).

Moreover, when I had my tonsils removed my ENT sent the tonsils for biopsy and concluded that they had were in a state of chronic inflammation (could this have anything to do with the regrowth of the tonsils?)

Thank you!


doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes and more likely remnant of Tonsil tissue.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Yes, the right Tonsil area is on the left of the images. On the right side there is Tonsil tissue at the upper and lower pole. On the left side some Tonsil tissue is seen in the middle of the Tonsil bed.

2. There is marked congestion and flecks of mucus in the throat and Tonsil areas.

3. The throat swab is also to check for fungal infections (since you are on a steroid nasal spray). You also have a coated tongue.

4. More than regrowth, this is Tonsil tissue left behind during the tonsillectomy. This is still a focus of chronic infection.

5. Coblation assisted removal of this tissue may be done.

6. The marked congestion of the posterior pharyngeal wall and lymphoid tissue inflammation will require treatment under the supervision of the ETT Specialist.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (23 minutes later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX Bhatti,

Thank you, your answers have been very informative and enlightening.

One more thing, do you think that I should go back to my family physician to ask for the swab or wait for my ENT consult and ask him about this? (Note I have to wait til the 29th of april for the ENT consult). So, in your opinion do you think my symptoms warrant quick action or not?

Thank you!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Your GP can take the throat swab and start meds.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Yes, your family physician (GP) can carefully take a throat swab from the back of the throat and Tonsil areas and send it for examination. The report takes a few days for bacterial and fungal culture and sensitivity testing.

2. Your GP can start medication as suggested.

3. Depending upon the report and the response to medication, your ENT Specialist should be able to narrow down the cause and conduct additional tests such as endoscopy.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 2686 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Sore Throat And Nasal Congestion

Brief Answer: Tonsil remnants. Throat congestion.Treatment reqd. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. The images of your throat show some remnant Tonsil tissue, more in the right tonsillar fossa. There is congestion of the tonsillar pillars and congestion of the posterior pharyngeal wall, base of the uvula and soft palate. Granular pharyngitis is seen on the posterior pharyngeal wall. 2. All this suggests a chronic irritation of the throat. This could be due to a post nasal drip, acid reflux, allergy or a mild infection. 3. A throat swab should be done. Under the cover of antibiotics, a short course of steroids will help. In addition an anti - allergic, mucolytics, anti- inflammatory, medicated gargles and anti reflux medication will be required. 4. Your ENT Specialist may reassess the tonsil remnants if this issue persists. I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them. Regards.