Factors associated with lingual tonsil hypertrophy in Canadian adults
Abstract Background Hypertrophy of the lingual tonsil tissue in the adult patient is thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea. The underlying etiology of lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH) in the adult patient is unclear and likely multifactorial. Previous studies have s...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40463-017-0209-z |
| _version_ | 1797966532103372800 |
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| author | Matthew S. Harris Brian W. Rotenberg Kathryn Roth Leigh J. Sowerby |
| author_facet | Matthew S. Harris Brian W. Rotenberg Kathryn Roth Leigh J. Sowerby |
| author_sort | Matthew S. Harris |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Hypertrophy of the lingual tonsil tissue in the adult patient is thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea. The underlying etiology of lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH) in the adult patient is unclear and likely multifactorial. Previous studies have suggested that the lingual tonsils may undergo compensatory hyperplasia post-tonsillectomy in children, although it is unknown if this occurs or persists into adulthood. The purpose of this study was to determine what factors are associated with LTH in a population of Canadian adults. Methods Adult patients presenting for consultation to an academic Rhinology/General Otolaryngology practice were eligible for enrollment. Demographic data including age, body mass index (BMI), Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), history of allergy, and history of tonsillectomy was collected via questionnaire. Endoscopic photographs of the base of tongue and larynx were captured. These were graded for LTH and Reflux Finding Scale (RFS) by blinded examiners. Statistical analysis was performed by comparing the mean LTH value to the variables of interest using two-tailed T-test. P < .05 was considered significant. Results One hundred two subjects were enrolled. Age ranged from 18 to 78. 28 patients had previous tonsillectomy. This was not associated with a significant increase in lingual tonsil tissue (r = −0.05, p = 0.61). RFS >7 or RSI >13 was considered positive for laryngopharyngeal reflux. There was no difference in LTH based on RSI positivity (p = 0.44). RFS positivity correlated with increased lingual tonsil tissue (p < 0.05). BMI >30 was associated with increased lingual tonsil hypertrophy (p < 0.05). Conclusions An elevated body mass index and positive Reflux Finding Score are associated with lingual tonsil hypertrophy in adults. Reflux symptom index, history of allergy and history of childhood tonsillectomy are not associated with LTH. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T02:16:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2aca12fe87c14cf2bd85f36330472e14 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1916-0216 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T02:16:56Z |
| publishDate | 2017-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery |
| spelling | doaj.art-2aca12fe87c14cf2bd85f36330472e142023-01-03T00:45:28ZengBMCJournal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery1916-02162017-04-014611510.1186/s40463-017-0209-zFactors associated with lingual tonsil hypertrophy in Canadian adultsMatthew S. Harris0Brian W. Rotenberg1Kathryn Roth2Leigh J. Sowerby3Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western UniversityDepartment of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western UniversityDepartment of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western UniversityDepartment of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western UniversityAbstract Background Hypertrophy of the lingual tonsil tissue in the adult patient is thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea. The underlying etiology of lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH) in the adult patient is unclear and likely multifactorial. Previous studies have suggested that the lingual tonsils may undergo compensatory hyperplasia post-tonsillectomy in children, although it is unknown if this occurs or persists into adulthood. The purpose of this study was to determine what factors are associated with LTH in a population of Canadian adults. Methods Adult patients presenting for consultation to an academic Rhinology/General Otolaryngology practice were eligible for enrollment. Demographic data including age, body mass index (BMI), Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), history of allergy, and history of tonsillectomy was collected via questionnaire. Endoscopic photographs of the base of tongue and larynx were captured. These were graded for LTH and Reflux Finding Scale (RFS) by blinded examiners. Statistical analysis was performed by comparing the mean LTH value to the variables of interest using two-tailed T-test. P < .05 was considered significant. Results One hundred two subjects were enrolled. Age ranged from 18 to 78. 28 patients had previous tonsillectomy. This was not associated with a significant increase in lingual tonsil tissue (r = −0.05, p = 0.61). RFS >7 or RSI >13 was considered positive for laryngopharyngeal reflux. There was no difference in LTH based on RSI positivity (p = 0.44). RFS positivity correlated with increased lingual tonsil tissue (p < 0.05). BMI >30 was associated with increased lingual tonsil hypertrophy (p < 0.05). Conclusions An elevated body mass index and positive Reflux Finding Score are associated with lingual tonsil hypertrophy in adults. Reflux symptom index, history of allergy and history of childhood tonsillectomy are not associated with LTH.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40463-017-0209-zLaryngopharyngeal refluxReflux symptom indexReflux finding scoreBody mass indexTonsillectomyLingual tonsil |
| spellingShingle | Matthew S. Harris Brian W. Rotenberg Kathryn Roth Leigh J. Sowerby Factors associated with lingual tonsil hypertrophy in Canadian adults Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Laryngopharyngeal reflux Reflux symptom index Reflux finding score Body mass index Tonsillectomy Lingual tonsil |
| title | Factors associated with lingual tonsil hypertrophy in Canadian adults |
| title_full | Factors associated with lingual tonsil hypertrophy in Canadian adults |
| title_fullStr | Factors associated with lingual tonsil hypertrophy in Canadian adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors associated with lingual tonsil hypertrophy in Canadian adults |
| title_short | Factors associated with lingual tonsil hypertrophy in Canadian adults |
| title_sort | factors associated with lingual tonsil hypertrophy in canadian adults |
| topic | Laryngopharyngeal reflux Reflux symptom index Reflux finding score Body mass index Tonsillectomy Lingual tonsil |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40463-017-0209-z |
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