A rare case in differential diagnosis of acute tonsillitis: leukemia

Abstract

Palatine tonsils are the largest lymphoid tissue component of the Waldeyer's ring. Waldeyer's ring inflammation may be caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, viruses, yeasts and parasites. Although systemic symptoms and tonsillar exudates are in favour of acute streptococcal tonsillitis; Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus, Human immunodeficiency virus, Herpes simplex virus, Adenoviruses, Toxoplasma, Francisella tularensis and candidal infections should be considered. Also myeloproliferative disorders such as leukemia should be remembered in patients with tonsillitis who do not response to the proper and adequate medical treatment when the results of serological screening tests are inconclusive as in our case.

Keywords

• tonsillitis
• leukemia
• differential diagnosis