Ear, Nose, Throat Flashcards
(160 cards)
What is Tonsillitis and what is the most common cause?
Inflammation of the tonsils, commonly caused by a viral infection
What strains commonly cause Viral Tonsillitis?
*Epstein-Barr virus* Adenovirus Rhinovirus Respiratory Syncytial Virus Influenzae Parainfluenzae
What strains commonly cause Bacterial Tonsillitis?
*Group A Streptococcus (Streptoccocus pyogenes)* Streptococcus pneumoniae Haemophilus influenzae Morazella catarrhalis Staphylococcus aureus
What are the features of Tonsilitis?
Pyrexia Pharyngitis (sore throat) Dysphagia Malaise Lymphadenopathy
Until what age are the tonsils hyperplastic? Why?
Age 6, due to exposure of many micro-organisms
Until what age do tonsils begin to regress?
Age 12
On examination what may you find to help diagnose Tonsillitis?
- Throat exam → Red, inflamed and enlarged tonsils with / without exudates
- Ear exam to assess tympanic membrane
- Lymph node exam to assess lymphadenopathy
What is the Centor Criteria used for?
Used to estimate whether a sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection and will benefit from antibiotics
Outline the points of the Centor Criteria and score is required?
- Fever over 38 degrees
- Tonsillar exudates
- Absence of cough
- Tender anterior cervical lymph nodes
- If score is 3 or more, 40-60% likelihood of bacterial tonsillitis, so offer ABX
What is an alternative to the Centor Criteria?
FeverPAIN score
Talk through the FeverPAIN Score. What are the criteria and what score is required?
- Fever - Fever in the last 24 hours
- P - Purulence (pus on tonsils)
- A - Attendance within 3 days of symptom onset
- I - Inflamed tonsils
- N - No cough or coryzal
- Consider ABX prescription if score is 4 or greater
How do you treat Bacterial and Viral Tonsillitis?
- Viral → Supportive management, simple analgesia
- Bacterial → Penicillin V (Phenoxymethylbenzypenicillin) for 10 days
What is the problem with the drug used to treat Bacterial Tonsilitis?
Not well tolerated due to taste
Amoxicillin is an alternative (Not mandated by NICE)
If patient has a Pencillin allergy, what is the alternative medication to treat Bacterial Tonsillitis?
Clarithomycin
How many Tonsillitis episodes must occur for a Tonsillectomy to be indicated?
- 7 or more significant sore throats in the preceding 12 months
- 5 or more episodes in each of the preceding two years
- 3 or more in each of the preceding three years
Aside from Tonsillitis episode count, what are other indications are there for a Tonsillectomy?
- Recurrent febrile convulsions secondary to episodes of tonsillitis
- Obstructive sleep apnoea, stridor or dysphagia secondary to enlarged tonsils
- Peritonsillar abscess (quinsy) if unresponsive to standard treatment
Why is there a large risk of bleeding associated with Tonsillectomy?
The lymphoid tissue has a very strong vascular supply from five vessels
What are the complications of Tonsillitis?
- Chronic Tonsillitis
- Peritonsillar Abscess (Quincy)
- Otitis media (if infection spreads to inner ear)
- Scarlet fever
- Rheumatic fever
- PSGN
What are the main complications of Tonsillectomy?
- Pain → For upto 6 days post tonsillectomy
- Haemorrhage → Primary and secondary
Primary → Occurs 6-8 hours after surgery → MUST RETURN TO THEATRE
Secondary → Occurs 5-10 days after surgery → ADMISSION AND ANTIBIOTICS
What is Waldeyer’s Tonsillar Ring?
A ring of lymphoid tissue in the larynx
What tissue comprises Waldeyer’s Ring?
- Adenoid
- Tubal x 2
- Palatine x 2
- Lingual
What section of Waldeyer’s Ring is affected by Tonsillitis?
- Palatine tonsils
What is Quincy also known as, outline what it is?
- Peritonsillar abscess, typically a complication of tonsillitis of trapped exudate → abscess
What are the clinical features of Peritonsillar Abscess?
- Pharyngitis, dysphagia, pyrexia, neck pain, referred ear pain, lymphadenopathy
- Trismus → muscle spasms in the muscles of mastication (lockjaw)
- “Hot potato voice” → pharyngeal swelling causing change in voice
- Deviation of the uvula to the unaffected side
- Swelling and erythema in area at the base of tonsils O/E