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What Causes Enlarged Uvula With Few Pus Filled Cysts?
Question: Hi I have a question regarding my tonsils. About three months ago, I began having a sore throat. Then, for about a week or so, my uvula was elongated to the point where it touched my touch my tongue and be extremely uncomfortable. Meanwhile, my right tonsil became slightly enlarged and has a few crypts on it, one is filled with white pus. The Internet is telling me not to worry and that this is just tonsillolith, or tonsil stone. But would a tonsil stone be pus-like and unable to scrape off? It is not hard. Also, I have these white patches in my throat that are worse sometimes than others but are consistently there in addition to visible red veins in throat. Should I be concerned?
I should mention that I saw an ENT but I was disappointed with his quick diagnosis of tonsillitis. He seemed to only look very briefly, and only one of my tonsils is even a bit enlarged so how can it be that?
I should mention that I saw an ENT but I was disappointed with his quick diagnosis of tonsillitis. He seemed to only look very briefly, and only one of my tonsils is even a bit enlarged so how can it be that?
Brief Answer:
Acute follicular tonsillitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome
I appreciate your concern
Based on your description, it appears to be a case of acute follicular tonsillitis. An experienced ENT doctor can diagnose it clinically easily. However if the inflammation or enlargement does not subside within 2 weeks or there is no response to antibiotics then other causes need to be considered. But first the common causes need to be considered which in my view is acute bacterial /follicular tonsillitis.
let me know if you have any query
Wishing you best of health
Please consult your doctor before taking any further course of action
Thanks
Dr M.S Khalil
Acute follicular tonsillitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome
I appreciate your concern
Based on your description, it appears to be a case of acute follicular tonsillitis. An experienced ENT doctor can diagnose it clinically easily. However if the inflammation or enlargement does not subside within 2 weeks or there is no response to antibiotics then other causes need to be considered. But first the common causes need to be considered which in my view is acute bacterial /follicular tonsillitis.
let me know if you have any query
Wishing you best of health
Please consult your doctor before taking any further course of action
Thanks
Dr M.S Khalil
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your reply. I dont think it is what you mentioned because it has been enlarged for over two months. Just one tonsil is enlarged, has crypts, and one of them is filled with pus that can be scraped off with a cotton swab. Any other ideas?
Brief Answer:
Explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
The pus that can be scraped off with a cotton swab should be sent for gram staining and culture sensitivity testing. Most likely an infective organism would be isolated.
If the swelling persists the a neck ultrasound, biopsy or tonsillectomy should be considered for definite diagnosis , ruling out a malignant cause and further management, in consultation with an ENT specialist doctor.
Wishing you best of health
Please consult your doctor before taking any further course of action
Thanks
Dr M.S Khalil
Explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
The pus that can be scraped off with a cotton swab should be sent for gram staining and culture sensitivity testing. Most likely an infective organism would be isolated.
If the swelling persists the a neck ultrasound, biopsy or tonsillectomy should be considered for definite diagnosis , ruling out a malignant cause and further management, in consultation with an ENT specialist doctor.
Wishing you best of health
Please consult your doctor before taking any further course of action
Thanks
Dr M.S Khalil
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Any chance this could be oral thrush? In addition to the white patches in the back of my throat and pus pocket on my tonsil, there are white lines on my inner cheeks but that could be from my teeth I dont know. I took antibiotics when this first started for ten days which may have caused the yeast infection.
Brief Answer:
Explained in detail
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome
Your concern is appreciated
As I mentioned before in my previous answers, the description suggest that its most probably follicular tonsilitis in which infection spreads to the crypts which become filled with purulent material presenting at openings of crypts as yellowish spots.
If the whole tonsil is covered with white and also other areas of throat then all the differentials are too included which can give such picture
Membranous tonsilitis in which exudative membrane is formed over medial surgace of tonsil
Diphtheria in which membrane extend to the soft palate and is dirty grey in colour its adherent and removal leaves bleeding surface. Vincents angina is another disease in which membrane usually forms on one tonsil it canbe easily removed leaving irregular ulcer. In infectious mononucleosis there can be white tonsils enlarged and congested but with other symtoms include lymphnodes and spleenomegaly. In agranulocytosis the lesion can occur any where in the orophaqyrnx. It can be aphthous ulcers traumatic ulcers. Candidal infection is also a possibilty.
Lymphoma comes also in the differentials.
Intratonsillar abcess can be another possible cause.
Tonsilloliths seen in chronic tonsilitis.
Oral cavity examination with total and differential count, blood smear, throat swab and culture can be done.
The antibiotics can be changed in consultation with doctor to give better coverage.
May it help
Thanks.
Dr M.S Khalil
Explained in detail
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome
Your concern is appreciated
As I mentioned before in my previous answers, the description suggest that its most probably follicular tonsilitis in which infection spreads to the crypts which become filled with purulent material presenting at openings of crypts as yellowish spots.
If the whole tonsil is covered with white and also other areas of throat then all the differentials are too included which can give such picture
Membranous tonsilitis in which exudative membrane is formed over medial surgace of tonsil
Diphtheria in which membrane extend to the soft palate and is dirty grey in colour its adherent and removal leaves bleeding surface. Vincents angina is another disease in which membrane usually forms on one tonsil it canbe easily removed leaving irregular ulcer. In infectious mononucleosis there can be white tonsils enlarged and congested but with other symtoms include lymphnodes and spleenomegaly. In agranulocytosis the lesion can occur any where in the orophaqyrnx. It can be aphthous ulcers traumatic ulcers. Candidal infection is also a possibilty.
Lymphoma comes also in the differentials.
Intratonsillar abcess can be another possible cause.
Tonsilloliths seen in chronic tonsilitis.
Oral cavity examination with total and differential count, blood smear, throat swab and culture can be done.
The antibiotics can be changed in consultation with doctor to give better coverage.
May it help
Thanks.
Dr M.S Khalil
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
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