Palatine Tonsil Measurements and Echogenicity during Tonsillitis Using Ultrasonography: A Case–Control Study

Abstract

This case–control study aimed to assess the size and echogenicity of inflamed tonsils using ultrasonography. It was carried out at different hospitals, nurseries, and primary schools in Khartoum state. About 131 Sudanese volunteers between 1 and 24 years old were recruited. The sample included 79 volunteers with normal tonsils and 52 with tonsillitis according to hematological investigations. The sample was divided into groups according to age—1–5 years old, 6–10 years old, and more than ten years. Measurements in centimeters of height (AP) and width (transverse) of both tonsils (right and left) were taken. Echogenicity was assessed according to normal and abnormal appearances. A data collection sheet containing all the study variables was used. The independent samples test (t-test) showed an insignificant height difference between normal controls and cases with tonsillitis. The transverse diameter increased significantly with inflammation (p-value p-value < 0.05 using the chi-square test) for samples from 1–5 years and 6–10 years. The study concluded that measurements and appearance are reliable indicators of tonsillitis, which can be confirmed with the use of ultrasonography, helping physicians to make the correct diagnosis and decisions.

Keywords

• palatine tonsil
• tonsillitis
• ultrasonography