title: Low dose radiotherapy for adenotonsillar lymphoid hyperplasia in HIV-positive patients.
abstract: Lymphoid hyperplasia is common in HIV positive patients. The aim of this study was to determine the response to radiotherapy. Thirty-three adult patients with recurrent tonsillitis or upper airway obstruction due to tonsillar hyperplasia and conformed histology of follicular hyperplasia were included. Thirteen underwent a 24 Gy course of radiotherapy and were followed up for a minimum of 16 weeks post-radiotherapy. There was a statistically significant decrease in the median tonsillar size (95% confidence interval [-3;-2]) and in the median CD4 count (95% CI [3;152]) after 16 weeks. None of the patients had acute tonsillitis or airway obstruction after radiotherapy. Low dose radiotherapy is effective in the management of adenotonsillar hyperplasia in HIV positive patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology (G42), Universitas Academic Hospital and University of the Free State, Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grobbelaar
authors.forename: Riaz Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Seedat
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Claassen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goedhals
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nel
mesh_terms: D000234:Adenoids / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000209:etiology