A tonsillolith is derived from chronic tonsillitis. Herein, we report the case of a patient with a “giant” tonsillolith, who was treated by bilateral tonsillectomy.
A 46-year-old female patient presented to our hospital with a history of pharyngeal pain on the right side. Physical examination revealed a whitish firm mass in the right tonsil and soft palate. CT, MRI scan and biopsy were performed, and based on the findings, we diagnosed the patient as having a giant tonsillolith, and not cancer of the oropharynx, as was initially suspected. Since she had chronic tonsillitis, we selected treatment by bilateral tonsillectomy with removal of the giant tonsillolith. Her symptom resolved after the surgery.
In general, a giant tonsillolith is relatively rare, but imaging studies are useful for differentiating it from other pharyngeal diseases and for obtaining a definitive diagnosis. Irrespective of the laterality, bilateral tonsillectomy is an effective treatment for a giant tonsillolith.
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