Utility of tonsillectomy in 2 patients with the syndrome of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis.
OBJECTIVE
To review the various causes of period fever in childhood, including the syndrome of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA), and to examine the value of tonsillectomy in the treatment of PFAPA syndrome.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Urban and tertiary care referral children's hospital.


METHODS
Two patients who underwent tonsillectomy for presumed recurrent adenotonsillitis were later diagnosed as having PFAPA syndrome. Intervention Tonsillectomy.


METHODS
Frequency of PFAPA symptoms before and after tonsillectomy.


RESULTS
No difference was found in the frequency of PFAPA symptoms after tonsillectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Although a larger series of patients is required, our initial experience suggests that tonsillectomy is not always beneficial for patients with PFAPA syndrome.
Parikh
Sanjay R
SR
Department of Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
Reiter
Evan R
ER
Kenna
Margaret A
MA
Roberson
David
D
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D010507:Periodicity; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013577:Syndrome; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome