A cyst on the tonsil (tonsil) is a benign abdominal neoplasm that is filled with pus or serous exudate, often mixed with blood. He needs to be treated. After all, tonsils are the most important part of the immune system, protecting the body from infections and helping to synthesize lymphocytes.
Why does a cyst appear? What symptoms indicate its presence? How is the diagnosis performed? What does treatment mean? These and many other questions should be answered.
In brief about neoplasm
A cyst on the tonsil occurs due to a violation of the drainage function of lymphadenoid tissues. Because of this, microscopic debris (food particles, mucus, tissue breakdown, serous fluid) begins to accumulate in the tonsils. As a result, the tissues of the palatine tonsils are stretched. And this leads to the formation of a cavity with liquidcontent.
This problem is faced by people who are sick with one of the following ailments:
- Tonsillitis. Chronic inflammation in the region of the palatine tonsils.
- Adenoiditis. This is the name of the inflammation of the adenoids and lymphatic tissue, which helps the body cope with infections.
A cyst on the tonsil, the photo of which is unpleasant, should be treated immediately after the symptoms are detected. This neoplasm can grow rapidly. Many scientists believe that it can become cancerous.
Reasons
As mentioned earlier, a cyst on the tonsil, the photo of which is presented in this article below, appears in people with a history of either adenoiditis or tonsillitis.
But any infectious and inflammatory disease of a chronic nature affecting the oropharynx (sinusitis, laryngitis, etc.) can become a provoking factor. In such cases, the patient has swelling of the mucosa, and this is a favorable environment for the growth of pathological neoplasms and tissues.
Also, provoking factors include:
- Weakening of the body's defenses.
- Injury to the tonsils.
- Changes in hormonal levels.
- Pathologies of an autoimmune nature.
- Alcohol and nicotine abuse.
- Hazardous work in production (forced inhalation of air polluted by chemical vapors).
- Slow inflammation of the oropharynx.
Symptoms
You can understand from the photo what a cyst looks like on the tonsils. That's just all the publicly available pictures depict neoplasms in a state of disrepair. For a long time, the cyst does not manifest itself in any way. As a rule, it is discovered by chance, either during a routine examination by an otolaryngologist, or at the time of medical examination.
The patient begins to notice a certain discomfort when the size of the neoplasm approaches 1 centimeter. The following symptoms are observed:
- Bad breath. It occurs due to the fact that food particles that have settled on the tumor decompose.
- Frequent itching that occurs when eating food.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- Numbness, burning, sensation of a foreign body in the throat.
- Pain that is localized in the tonsils.
- Hoarseness, nasality.
- Appearance of blood impurities in saliva.
Also, a cyst that has arisen on the tonsil often causes difficulties in nasal breathing, and sometimes food particles can even get into the nasal passages.
Diagnosis
The otolaryngologist is engaged in determining the type of cyst, its danger, as well as determining possible complications. In addition to the survey and visual inspection, the following diagnostic measures are carried out:
- Ultrasound.
- Rhinoscopy.
- Pharingoscopic examination.
- MRI.
- Computed tomography.
- X-ray.
If a patient is found to have other diseases that may be the cause of a tumor, they are sent tofor additional diagnostics. It will be of a clarifying nature and will help determine the future therapeutic tactics.
The patient may be assigned bacteriological culture, puncture, audiometry. In the presence of signs of malignancy, the presence of a cyst inside the tonsil and a large size of the neoplasm, a biopsy is strictly required. You may also need to see an oncologist.
Complications
They will arise if a person does not pay timely attention to the cyst formed on the tonsils. Why is this benign tumor dangerous? At least the fact that it is a chronic focus of infection. And he can behave unpredictably.
This neoplasm is constantly exposed to mechanical irritation (it is rubbed with food). As a result, the inflammation worsens. The longer a person ignores a cyst, the more the infection progresses. And pathogens are carried to all organs and cells along with the blood stream. Their work is disrupted as a result.
It should also be noted that an ignored cyst is often accompanied by intoxication of the body. Toxins produced during the life of pathogenic bacteria adversely affect the functioning of the kidneys and liver. For the same reason, chronic fatigue syndrome occurs and immunity weakens. A person becomes vulnerable even to the attack of harmless infections.
Children's pathology
A cyst on a tonsil in a child, as a rule, appears either due to bacterial infections or due to hormonal disorders. They usually hurt and bleed.
In rare cases, a cyst may be congenital. But it is discovered immediately after birth - when the baby is examined by a pediatrician.
Treat a cyst in a child urgently. Even a small tumor creates a serious burden on the child's body, and a large neoplasm can completely disrupt breathing and swallowing. In rare cases, the cyst causes asphyxia.
Operation
Removing a cyst on the tonsil is easier, the smaller its size. Small neoplasms are completely opened, followed by pumping out the contents. After that, the patient takes high-quality antiseptics and anti-inflammatory drugs in order to recover quickly.
If this technique is ineffective, a classic operation is performed, in which the surgeon removes the neoplasm or even the tonsils. But this is only when they are hypertrophied and do not cope with their functions.
The extent of the intervention depends on the size of the tumor, the general well-being of the patient and the condition of the ENT organs. The operation can be performed under general or local anesthesia. In any case, long-term hospitalization will not be required.
It is very important to remove the neoplasm completely. If the cyst on the tonsil is large, rapidly growing, and often provokes an exacerbation of ENT diseases, then the doctor may prescribe a tonsillectomy, in which the tonsils are removed. With recurrent tonsillitis, this is the only right solution.
Rehab
When it comes towhat a cyst looks like on the tonsils and how this formation can be eliminated in general, it is worth touching on the topic of rehabilitation.
Here's what you need to do after surgery:
- Drink antibiotics.
- Do not forget to treat the oropharynx with solutions that promote wound healing.
- Follow your diet.
The latter is especially important. It is necessary to switch to a diet that will not only avoid injury to the mucous membrane of the tonsils and pharynx, but also accelerate the healing of the wound formed after the operation. Therefore, you will need to exclude cold and hot dishes from the diet, as well as everything s alty, spicy and hard. Food should only be consumed warm and pureed.
Topical treatment
Many people who are faced with the problem described are wondering: “A cyst has formed on the tonsil - what should I do?” A competent answer to this question can only be given by a doctor after studying the results of the diagnosis. But if we talk about local treatment, then usually it involves the following activities:
- Gargling with soda or saline solutions, always with the addition of "Chlorophyllipt" or "Iodinol".
- Washing the cystic area with antiseptic compounds using a syringe. Usually they use Rotokan, Miramistin and Furacilin.
- Inhalations. They are performed using a nebulizer, always using drugs such as Chlorhexidine, Fluimucil, Amikacin.
- Drainage of the contents of the cyst. It is performed with a special vacuum device called "Tonsillor". Afterduring the procedure, an anti-inflammatory solution is injected into the cavity.
- Gently rubbing the cyst with antiseptics. This is necessary to remove surface plaque.
When treating a cyst on the tonsils, you should not exert strong pressure on its walls. They break very easily. If this happens, the contents will be on the soft tissues of the pharynx. This problem can provoke the development of sepsis or inflammation.
Drug therapy
Continuing to talk about the treatment of cysts on the tonsils, it is worth listing the drugs that doctors usually prescribe to their patients. The most popular are:
- "Laripront". Antiseptic based on lysozyme, presented in the form of lozenges. It has antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and mucolytic effects.
- Bioparox. Aerosol, which is a topical antibiotic. Made on the basis of fusafungin. Helps to quickly get rid of pain when swallowing, reduce swelling of the pharyngeal and palatine tonsils, improve the general condition.
- "Aqualor throat". This antiseptic is available in the form of a solution prepared on the basis of sea water. Has a broad effect: restores the mucous cavities of the nasopharynx, eliminates inflammation and irritation, moisturizes.
- "Derinat". A powerful immunostimulant that has a positive effect on regenerative and reparative processes. It has antitumor, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, membrane stabilizing, antioxidant andantiallergic action.
- "Betaferon". This drug is an interferon. It has an immunoregulatory and antiviral effect.
- "Immunal". Taking this remedy has a positive effect on nonspecific immunity, strengthening it. Also, this drug inhibits the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
If the cyst formed on the tonsil is purulent, antibiotics will be required.
Physiotherapy
In the treatment, procedures that activate the outflow of lymph and blood microcirculation can also be useful. These include:
- Phonophoresis. This method involves a combination of ultrasound exposure and the patient taking medications.
- Irradiation with ultraviolet or infrared light.
- ENT massage.
These treatments help the tonsils recover. But they are not a panacea. Doctors generally recommend combining medical treatment with physical therapy.
Folk remedies
According to reviews, a cyst on the tonsil can be eliminated if you follow the secrets of alternative medicine.
Infusions of medicinal herbs are especially effective. For their preparation, it is recommended to use the following vegetable raw materials:
- St. John's wort.
- Oak bark.
- Eucalyptus.
- Series.
- Chamomile.
You just need to take 2 tbsp. herbs, pour it into a container, and then pour a glass of water. Then cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. Byafter a while (the composition should boil a little), remove from the stove and let it brew. Then cool, strain and gargle.
Also, the cyst can be lubricated with Kalanchoe juice. And rinsing with a decoction of onion peels is also useful.
The use of sea buckthorn oil is very common. It is used in inhalation, applied to the affected area, consumed in a spoon inside.
And it is also useful for them to gargle in the morning (before all hygiene procedures and breakfast). You need to take a small amount in your mouth and intensively “roll” it. After 5-6 minutes, spit it out, then rinse the cavity with boiled warm water.
Prevention
To avoid the formation of a cyst, the following rules must be observed:
- Keep a he althy lifestyle.
- Treat any diseases of the nasopharynx in time.
- At least in the morning and evening, thoroughly brush your teeth and mouth.
- Eat a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, macro and micronutrients.
- Fight chronic infections.
- Don't get cold.
- Strengthen local immunity.
But if a cyst was found, you need to contact an otolaryngologist for help. We must remember: this is a focus of chronic infection, which poses a threat to he alth.
