Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T03:16:59.487Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Radiofrequency thermotherapy in the treatment of tongue base lymphoid hyperplasia: case report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2015

T K Nicoli ,
S Gupta  and
B Kotecha
T K Nicoli*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK
S Gupta
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK
B Kotecha
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr T K Nicoli, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, 330 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8DA, UK E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

This paper describes a case where a patient diagnosed with tongue base lymphoid hyperplasia was successfully treated with radiofrequency excision and interstitial radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy.

Case report:

A 53-year-old female presented with globus sensation, mild dysphagia, nocturnal breathing problems and ‘hot potato voice’ dysphonia. On flexible nasendoscopy, a visible tongue mass was seen to obstruct the posterior oropharynx. On magnetic resonance imaging scans, this mass looked suspicious of lymphoma, but on histology was confirmed to be benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. Sleep study findings indicated moderate obstructive sleep apnoea, with an apnoea–hypopnoea index of 18.1 events per hour. She was treated with radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy on three separate occasions.

Results:

A post-operative sleep study showed a dramatic improvement in the patient's apnoea–hypopnoea index (3.8 events per hour). This correlated well with the improvement in her sleep quality and reduction of snoring. Over the follow-up period, there has been sustained resolution of dyspnoea, with almost total restoration of voice quality.

Keywords

ThermotherapyOropharynxHyperplasiaPseudolymphomaDysphagia
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 4 , April 2015 , pp. 398 - 402
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Sands, NB, Tewfik, M. Benign lymphoid hyperplasia of the tongue base causing upper airway obstruction. Case Rep Otolaryngol 2011;2011:625185Google Scholar
2Jham, BC, Binmadi, NO, Scheper, MA, Zhao, XF, Koterwas, GE, Kashyap, A et al. Follicular hyperplasia of the palate: case report and literature review. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 2009;37:79–82Google Scholar
3Samoszuk, M, Ramzi, E, Ravel, J. Disseminated Epstein-Barr virus and clonal rearrangements of DNA. Diagn Mol Pathol 1993;2:57–60CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Kornblut, AD. Non-neoplastic diseases of the tonsils and adenoids. In: Paparella, MM, Schumrick, DA, eds. Otolaryngology, vol 3. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1973;277–95Google Scholar
5Gromet, M, Horner, MJ, Carter, BL. Lymphoid hyperplasia at the base of the tongue. Spectrum of a benign entity. Radiology 1982;144:825–8Google Scholar
6Kolokotronis, A, Dimitrakopoulos, I, Asimaki, A. Follicular lymphoid hyperplasia of the palate: report of a case and review of the literature. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2003;96:172–5Google Scholar
7Stimpson, P, Kotecha, B. Histopathological and ultrastructural effects of cutting radiofrequency energy on palatal soft tissues: a prospective study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2011;268:1829–36Google Scholar