Dear Doctor,
I'm an American English teacher living in Japan and I want to make
sure I am getting the correct treatment for my illness. Starting last
Thursday night I had pain in the left side of my throat with a large
bump starting at the back of my tongue and continuing down my throat
plus a very swollen left gland in my neck and had difficulty
swallowing. A local ENT said it was tonsilitis, but I have not had
tonsils for 18+ years. She gave me a low dosage anti-biotic which was
the same thing I'd been given for a cold once and an anti-inflammatory
pill, neither of which worked and by Sunday I was in more pain. Monday I
visited another doctor who also said it was tonsilitis and gave me an IV
with some stronger drugs in it and recommended that I go to a local
research hospital. I went there yesterday and today and have received
two bags of Pansporin (?), and one bag of steroids through IV both
days. They plan to continue this treatment for two more days. THe
swelling has gone down some and the pain in swallowing has only gone
down minimally. Is it really tonsilitis or should I get a strep
culture? Will this treatment be effective? I am scheduled to sing at a
concert on Sunday and am worried about recovering before then. Looking
for some reassurance and hope. Thanks,
There is tonsil tissue known as the lingual tonsil that is located in the posterior 1/3 of the tongue. It is not removed during standard tonsillectomy in which the faucial tonsils located on either side of the back of the throat are removed. I would not be able to render an opinion as to the accuracy of the diagnosis you have been given nor the propriety of the treatment rendered other than to say that lingual tonsillitis does occur in adults and can cause considerable pain, difficulty swallowing, and in severe cases even difficulty breathing or speaking since the lingual tonsils are located just above the vocal cords. Intravenous antibiotics and steroids are commonly recommended for lingual tonsillitis.
--
Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
Click here to review
previous Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic consultations