Histopathological Spectrum of Lesions of Palatine Tonsil - A 3 Year Study

Background Palatine tonsils are paired masses of lymphoid tissue which act as immunologic barrier against the entry of pathogenic agents into the respiratory and digestive tracts. Despite their protective function, tonsils are prone to infection. Tonsillitis is a common disease especially among the children. Chronic tonsillitis is a disease with repeated attacks of acute tonsillitis or a sub-clinic form of a resistant or poorly treated infection. Aim This study was conducted for studying the cliniopathological findings of various lesions of tonsils in palatine tonsil. Materials and methods This is a cross sectional study where 132 cases of histopathologically identified tonsillectomy specimens were included. The available data for all the patients as regards to age, sex and clinical symptoms was collected. We studied histopathology of 129 cases of tonsillectomy patients [Unilateral-02, Bilateral-127] and tonsillar biopsy in 02& tonsil cyst in 01 patients. Representative bits were taken from formalin fixed tonsillectomy specimens whereas biopsies were submitted entirely. Routine hematoxylin and eosin staining was done. Results Amongst the cases, 114 showed chronic tonsillitis. Other lesions were epidermal inclusion cysts in 12 cases, acute on chronic tonsillitis in 02 cases, acute ulcerative tonsillitis with micro abscesses in 01 case and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia in one case. Two malignancies were observed - one case of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and another case of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.