title: PFAPA syndrome in a young adult with a history of tonsillectomy.
abstract: Since its clinical definition in 1987, the syndrome called, "periodic fever, aphtous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis" syndrome (PFAPA) has been considered peculiar to pediatric age. In the recent literature there are a few case reports of PFAPA in adults. We describe a case of a 21-year-old female affected by PFAPA who presented a history of tonsillectomy at the age of four. To our knowledge this is the fourth case described with a diagnosis of PFAPA in an adult with a history of tonsillectomy during childhood. Although the role of tonsillectomy in the treatment of PFAPA is still controversial, due to the lack of definitive data in literature, this case suggests that fever episodes may relapse several years after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Policlinico Umberto I, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy. m.colotto@policlinicoumberto1.it
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colotto
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maranghi
authors.forename: Cosimo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Durante
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossetti
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renzi
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Anatra
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013577:Syndrome; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone