HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Hi, I Have Noticed A Small Pea Shaped Lump Behind

Posted on Thu, 20 Feb 2020

Question: Hi, I have noticed a small pea shaped lump behind my right tonsil. It is purple in colour with a small part of it a lighter skin colour. I have no other symptoms. No sore throat etc. I have never smoked and do not drink more than recomended. I have no history of throat problems. Please can you tell me what it could be? Is it an enlarged vein? Should I be worried. I can only see it when my throat is clenched. attached are photos of my throat both clenched and unclenched. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rajat Basak (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Tonsils enlarged

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to the Ask A Doctor service.

It seems that your tonsils are congested and enlarged. The bump behind your tonsils is granular posterior pharyngeal wall due to acid reflux. It's not appearing like any mass or tumour. Due to acid reflux the posterior pharyngeal wall gets inflamed and cause such swelling. It's very common in normal individual. You can take antireflux measures. Take less tea, coffee. Drink more water. Take pantoprazole tablet. Avoid smoking, alcohol.

Please review if you have any queries.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rajat Basak (51 minutes later)

Thank you. Given your response I presume it is nothing to worry about and requires no further investigation/examination?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rajat Basak (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hii. Follow up after 1 month with an ent surgeon. If it increases or you ar

Detailed Answer:
Hii. Follow up after 1 month with an ent surgeon. If it increases or you are having any pain throat, any swallowing difficulty, you can go for tonsillectomy. But if it regresses then nothing to do. You can do betadine gargle and take pantoprazole tablet. Drink more water.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rajat Basak (56 minutes later)

Thanks, sorry, just one more question. My tonsils have always been that size, my GP has checked them a couple of times and said nothing to worry about. If they stay the same, along with the small purple bump behind, and I have no other symtpoms I presume they wont need to be checked? In other words only get them checked if theres any change or more symptoms arise. I will of course do a betadine gargle and take pantoprazole tablet. Thanks

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rajat Basak (1 hour later)

In addition to my last comments. on further inspection. the purple area only arises when I clench my throat. When uncleached it looks normal. It kind of looks like a vein filling with blood. Is that normal? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rajat Basak (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hii. As mentioned you before tonsils have paratonsillar vein along it's XXXXXXX

Detailed Answer:
Hii. As mentioned you before tonsils have paratonsillar vein along it's side. The anterior and posterior tonsillar pillar has also vascularisation. If you are clenching the jaw then the vessels become prominent. So there is nothing to worry about. Continue the gargle.

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. Prasad