Assessment of submucosal radiofrequency tonsil reduction by magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
The primary objective was to assess the efficacy of submucosal radiofrequency tonsil reduction (SRFTR) in adults by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The secondary objective was to evaluate the morbidity of SRFTR.


METHODS
A prospective, longitudinal clinical study with a follow-up time of 12 months was conducted of 10 consecutive patients with the median age of 24.5 years (range 19-55 years) with obstructive palatine tonsil hypertrophy. SRFTR was delivered in an outpatient setting in a tertiary care centre, academic teaching hospital.


METHODS
The change in tonsillar volume after SRFTR was evaluated with MRI by two radiologists independently and blinded to the treatment results. The morbidity was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS), a questionnaire for the pain medication needed, and inflammatory laboratory parameters. VAS and use of pain medication results were compared with those of two earlier cohort groups undergoing conventional tonsillectomy with two different techniques at our department.


RESULTS
The tonsil volume reduced significantly with a median reduction in the total tonsil volume of 12.6% (range 3.7-41.5%, pretreatment vs posttreatment volume, p < .01). VAS of the morbidity symptoms and the amount of pain medication needed were significantly lower in the SRFTR group than in the two historical tonsillectomy groups. The laboratory parameters showed a significant change.


CONCLUSIONS
SRFTR in adults with obstructive palatine tonsil hypertrophy is a minimally invasive procedure causing a tonsil volume reduction demonstrated by MRI. The procedure seems to be associated with acceptable morbidity.
Bäck
Leif
L
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, FIN-00029 HUCH, Helsinki, Finland. leif.back@helsinki.fi
Tervahartiala
Pekka
P
Piilonen
Anneli
A
Mäkitie
Antti
A
Ylikoski
Jukka
J
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult