The Open Otorhinolaryngology Journal

2010, 4 : 83-86
Published online 2010 October 12. DOI: 10.2174/1874428101004010083
Publisher ID: TOOTORJ-4-83

Tonsillar Crypts and Bacterial Invasion of Tonsils: A Pilot Study

R.K. Mal , A.F. Oluwasanmi and J.R. Mitchard
University Department of Otolaryngology, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To investigate histologically if a lack of protection of the deep lymphoid tissue in tonsillar crypts by an intact epithelial covering is an aetiological factor for tonsillitis.

Method:

A prospective histological study of the tonsillar crypt epithelium by immunostaining for cytokeratin in 34 consecutive patients undergoing tonsillectomy either for tonsillitis or tonsillar hypertrophy without infection (17 patients in each group).

Results:

Discontinuity in the epithelium was found in 70.6% of the groups of patients with tonsillitis and in 35.3% of the groups of patients with tonsillar hypertrophy. This is of borderline significance.

Conclusion:

We found no clear correlation between tonsillitis and a defect in the tonsillar crypt epithelium. Tonsillitis might be due to immunological differences of subjects rather than a lack of integrity of the crypt epithelium. Further study with larger sample size and normal control is suggested.