Dr. Shyam Kalyan. N
Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have a left tonsil that looks like a white build up with some veins on it. I recently was diagnosed with a jaw bone that was malaligned so I am wearing several appliances to get that back set in place. I recently went to an ENT and they put a scope down my nose and said my tonsils are even. He mentioned to come back in two months. Why is that? Why not just take a biospy now? Please help because I really hate waiting for two months just to be seen again.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
The left tonsil seems mildly hypertrophied and unhealthy. But it does not have any active infection. Can you take a picture with both tonsils in view? Tonsils are normal structures and unless one is much bigger than the other we usually do not suspect anything. Do you have any symptoms with tonsils? Is there a post nasal drip or throat pain or soreness or foreign body sensation in the throat? The tonsils inside the nose or at the back of nose are called nasopharyngeal tonsils or the adenoids which usually regress by 10 years of age but in some, they remain. How old are you? What appliances are you wearing or using for jaw bone correction? Can you take a picture and send? The tonsillar biopsy is not as simple as biopsies at other locations. We do it under general anesthesia and we remove the entire tonsil. This is done at a particular position and probably your jaw condition does not let that position to be made on you. Do revert back with all the details so that we can help you.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I am 31 years old and yes I feel like a weird taste in my mouth on the same side as the whitish tonsil. I feel like that is probably the taste that I have. I do not have any soreness once so ever. I did a streptococcus test as well and that was negative. The appliance in the picture is all I wear. The same side as the inflamed tonsil is the same side I have the taste as well. My jaw pain and minor correction are on the same side. So the white tint does not bother you? I mean really alarming or just unhealthy?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The white tint does not bother me as much as probably you would be expecting to. That is because it does not appear like a membrane over the tonsil. Nevertheless, why do you not try some gargles? Benzydamine gargles mixed with equal amounts of water and gargles thrice daily should take care of the smell and possibly the white color as well. Do you smoke or use tobacco in any form? Are you worried about cancer?
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Yes, I am petrified of cancer. I do not have any family history of cancer besides the thyroid from my niece. Mine was removed for just being too large and said it was negative for cancer. I smoke Marijuana but never once tobacco ever. This is a sign that I will stop if this is the case. Thanks for all the help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
You should stop weed. The soot and smoke also cause cancer, not just the nicotine of cigarettes. Nextly, do not be unnecessarily worried of cancer. It will destroy your peace of mind.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Yes, I will do. Today is day 1 so I feel happy about it.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
If you are habituated to using weed you may find difficulty in giving up altogether. In that case, I would advise you to go for a gradual withdrawal from using it. Otherwise, your efforts at giving up may be shortlived.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Could that be tonsil stones by chance or is it automatically ruled out?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Tonsil stone or tonsillolith looks much different from the white area over your tonsil. They look very obvious and not like what you have.
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Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
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