Recurrent paratonsillitis of odontogenic origin

The recurrent paratonsillitis caused by medium dental caries is an extremely rare condition. Patients with this pathology are admitted to otorhinolaryngological departments and in most cases they do not actively present odontogenic complaints. Currently, the algorithm for the mandatory examination of patients with paratonsillitis does not include an examination by a dentist.

This article presents a clinical case of recurrent paratonsillitis in a 22-year-old man. His admission due to this condition was the third during the year. The disease proceeded without signs of affection of the palatine tonsils. In this regard, the patient was examined according to clinical recommendations using additional research methods to verify the source of infection. To exclude the formation of peritonsillar abscess, the non-invasive diagnostic methods were used - transoral ultrasound of peritonsillar tissues.

This examination revealed an abnormal arrangement of the external carotid artery branches. This circumstance determined the choice of treatment tactics, excluding the use of relaxing incisions in the peritonsillar area. A laboratory study of saliva determined the activity of á-amylase, pH value was measured to exclude an inflammation of the salivary glands. An additional examination revealed the odontogenic etiology of paratonsillitis.