A case of post-streptococcal reactive arthritis successfully treated with tonsillectomy

Abstract

There are occasional reports of the effectiveness of tonsillectomy for reactive arthritis caused by tonsillitis. We herein report a case of post-streptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA) that was successfully treated by tonsillectomy. A 30-year-old man presented with recurrent bilateral knee arthritis, fever, and sore throat. His bilateral palatine tonsils were buried and had no rubor or tonsil stones ; however, blood tests showed elevated ASO levels. We performed tonsillectomy under a diagnosis of PSRA. Intraoperatively, moderate adhesion was observed bilaterally and the presence of tonsil stones was confirmed. A histopathological examination revealed chronic tonsillitis with lymphoid hyperplasia and crypt abscess. There has been no recurrence of knee arthritis since tonsillectomy. Reactive arthritis caused by tonsillitis is a focal tonsil infection that can be cured by tonsillectomy.