Does tonsil hypertrophy occur as a result of colonization of actinomycosis?

Abstract

To determine the relationship between the presence of actinomyces in adenoid/tonsillar tissue and hypertrophy, and to investigate seasonal changes in frequency of actinomycosis in adenoidectomy/tonsillectomy materials. In this retrospective study, the data of 175 patients who underwent adenoidectomy/tonsillectomy between January 2016 – December 2018 were examined. After the exclusion of patients with immunosuppression, malignancy or without adequate medical data,158 patients were included to the study. Age, sex, adenoid/tonsil diameter and date of appointment were recorded. In our study, Actinomycosis was found in 44(28%) of 158 patients. Whilst there was no significant relationship between the presence of actinomycetes colonization and sex or date of appointment, increasing age was positively correlated with actinomycetes colonization. No relationship between actinomycetes colonization and hypertrophy was found. Besides, actinomycosis was found to be more prevalent in right and bilateral tonsillar tissues. Actinomyces can be found in adenoid/tonsils independent of hypertrophy and sex, and it shows a positive correlation with increasing age. It tends to be found in the right tonsil or bilateral tonsils more frequently.