Clinical case of laser ablation of lingual amygdala

Abstract

Hypertrophy of the lingual tonsil is a condition in which the lingual tonsil, located at the base of the tongue, enlarges. This tonsil consists of clusters of follicles separated by a central groove. In children under 5 years old, the number of follicles usually ranges from 10 to 12, while in adults up to 40 years old, it can reach 35 to 40. This structure plays an important role in the immune system, helping the body fight infections and microbes. Like other tonsils in the throat, the lingual tonsil can sometimes cause problems, such as hypertrophy (enlargement) or chronic infections. The causes of lingual tonsil hypertrophy can be diverse. In some cases, it develops as a compensatory process after the removal of the palatine tonsils. The primary cause in adults may be chronic inflammation of the pharynx. Severe degrees of lingual tonsil hypertrophy are very rare but can lead to various symptoms, such as coughing, difficulty swallowing and breathing, a feeling of pressure in the area beneath the tongue, and other nonspecific complaints. These symptoms are not pathognomonic for lingual tonsil hypertrophy. The challenges in diagnosis and the lack of a standardized approach to surgical treatment require detailed consideration and description in each individual case. Sometimes, patients with lingual tonsil hypertrophy complain of coughing paroxysms. In such cases, mechanical irritation of the lingual tonsil with a probe can provide some assistance in diagnosis. In the context of this study, lingual tonsillectomy surgery was performed on a patient using a diode laser. The results obtained confirmed the high level of technological feasibility and appropriateness of using laser ablation for the treatment of lingual tonsil hypertrophy. Laser ablation is one of the possible surgical procedures for treating lingual tonsil hypertrophy. It can be an effective and technologically advanced method, although it requires experience and qualification of specialists.