Analysis of histopathological results of patients undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy

Print PDF Donwnload Merve AKYOL ORCID Icon,Halil Erdem OZEL ORCID Icon,Erdem ALTIPARMAK ORCID Icon,Zulal KARA ORCID Icon,Ahmet Taha KARAKUZU ORCID Icon,Adin SELCUK ORCID Icon,Fatih OZDOGAN ORCID Icon,Sinem DURMAZ ORCID Icon Analysis of histopathological results of patients undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze the postoperative histopathological diagnoses of adult and pediatric patients who have undergone tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, and to determine the preoperative characteristics of patients diagnosed with malignancy. Methods: Postoperative histopathological reports of 2223 patients who underwent adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy were reviewed. The preoperative clinical findings of the patients whose histopathological diagnosis was reported other than 'reactive lymphoid hyperplasia' were reviewed retrospectively. Results: In total, 1908 adenoidectomies and 1214 tonsillectomies were performed. Eleven patients (8 men, 3 women) whose diagnosis was not 'reactive lymphoid hyperplasia' were identified. The mean age was found to be 64.3 ± 15 (range 45 – 91 years). In 10 of these patients, at least one of the findings of asymmetric tonsillar hypertrophy, tonsil ulceration and neck mass was found to be present preoperatively. Surgery was performed on these patients for biopsy because of clinical suspicion of malignancy. Incidental malignancy was detected in one patient. The histopathology result of this patient (62 years old, male) who underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was reported as 'suspicious low-grade lymphoproliferative lesion'. This patient was diagnosed as 'chronic lymphocytic leukemia' in further examinations. Malignancy was not observed in any of the adenoidectomy specimens. Conclusion: Asymmetric tonsillar hypertrophy, tonsillar ulceration and presence of a neck mass are important preoperative clinical markers for malignancy. Besides, hematological diseases infiltrating lymphoid tissue can cause symmetric tonsillar hypertrophy and can be diagnosed incidentally by tonsillectomy. Routine histopathological examination is recommended, especially in adults.