Tonsil stones:Tonsillolith
Tonsil Stone:Tonsil Calculi removal by Tonsillectomy
Dr.K.O.Paulose FRCS DLO, Consultant ENT Surgeon, Jubilee Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
Tonsilloliths, also known as tonsil calculi, tonsil stones, tonsillar pearls, or tonsillar debris, are calcified masses that form in the pits and crevices of the tonsils. These masses are usually made of debris, food, bacteria, mucous and other foreign items that have gotten stuck in the crevices of the tonsils. Tonsilloliths often smell foul and resemble small, concretions appear either green, white or yellow in color.
These patients usually complain of foul breath and recurring episodes of throat pain. More commonly tonsilloliths happen to be an incidental finding. sometimes tonsilloliths are known to be extrude spontaneously.
Management: Try conservative treatment like gargles and mouth paints. But if that fail and patients are bothered by bad breath, then it is an indication for tonsillectomy.