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Tonsillolith

A tonsillolith (also called tonsil stone or calculus of the tonsil) is a piece (or more commonly, a cluster) of calcareous matter which forms in the rear of the mouth, in the crevasses (called tonsillar crypts) of the palatine tonsils (which are what most people commonly refer to as simply tonsils).

Tonsil stones, it is theorized, are the result of a combination of any of the following:

dead white blood cells
oral bacteria
overactive salivary glands

Protruding tonsilloliths have the feel of a foreign object, lodged between the outside of wisdom teeth and the temporomandibular joint region of the fleshed jaw. They may be an especially uncomfortable nuisance, but are not often harmful. They are one possible cause of halitosis.

Appearance and characteristics

Tonsilloliths or tonsil stones are calcifications that form in the crypts of the palatal tonsils(Also known to form in the throat and roof of mouth). These calculi are composed of calcium salts either alone or in combination with other mineral salts, and are usually of small size - though there have been occasional reports of large tonsilloliths or calculi in peritonsillar locations.

Tonsilloliths are difficult to diagnose in the absence of clear manifestations, and often constitute casual findings of routine radiological studies.

These calculi are composed of calcium salts such as hydroxyapatite or calcium carbonate apatite, oxalates and other magnesium salts or containing ammonium radicals, and macroscopically appear white or yellowish in color. The mechanism by which these calculi form is subject to debate, though they appear to result from the accumulation of material retained within the crypts, along with the growth of bacteria and fungi such as Leptothrix buccalis – sometimes in association with persistent chronic purulent tonsillitis. In other words, "Because saliva contains digestive enzymes, trapped food begins to break down. Particularly, the starch or carbohydrate part of the food melts away, leaving firmer, harder remains of food in the tonsils."

Alternative mechanisms have been proposed for calculi that are located in peritonsillar areas, such as the existence of ectopic tonsillar tissue, the formation of calculi secondary to salivary stasis within the minor salivary gland secretory ducts in these locations, or the calcification of abscessified accumulations.

Symptoms

Tonsilloliths occur more frequently in adults than in children. Symptoms are usually non-specific such as sore throat, chronic cough, bad taste in the back of the throat, or otalgia. A foreign body sensation may also exist in the back of throat with recurrent foul breath (halitosis). Treatment is usually removal of concretions by curettage; larger lesions may require local excision.

Tonsilloliths tend to be present in young adolescents and can manifest with bad breath and swallowing pain accompanied by a foreign body sensation and, in some cases, referred ear pain. The condition may also prove asymptomatic, with detection upon palpating a hard intratonsillar or submucosal mass.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of tonsilloliths includes foreign body, calcified granuloma, malignancy, an enlarged styloid process or rarely, isolated bone which is usually derived from embryonic rests originating from the branchial arches.

Imaging diagnostic techniques can identify a radiopaque mass that may be mistaken for foreign bodies, displaced teeth or calcified blood vessels. Computed tomography (CT) may reveal nonspecific calcified images in the tonsillar zone. The differential diagnosis must be established with acute and chronic tonsillitis, tonsillar hypertrophy, peritonsillar abscesses, foreign bodies, phlebolites, ectopic bone or cartilage, lymph nodes, granulomatous lesions or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament in the context of Eagle’s syndrome (elongated styloid process).

Giant tonsilloliths

Much rarer than the typical tonsil stones are giant tonsilloliths. Giant tonsilloliths may often be mistaken for other oral maladies, including peritonsillar abscess, and tumours of the tonsil.

Treatment and prevention

Self treatment

Tonsilloliths can be removed by the patient. A medicine dropper (especially one with a curved tip) can help to suck out the stones if they are small enough. Embedded tonsilloliths (which develop inside tonsils) are not easily removed, but will naturally erupt from the tonsils with time.

The use of pulsating irrigation to clear out the crypts of accumulated debris may also help (using an adjustable unit on a low pressure setting to avoid damaging tissue). Use a solution of salt water to cleanse the tonsil crypts and help prevent future tonsilloliths. The use of a combination nasal/throat irrigation device is recommended). for direct cleansing of the tonsil stones with the throat irrigator tip and cleansing of the nasal passages using the nasal irrigation tip. This is especially beneficial for post-nasal drip which routinely contributes to the formation of tonsil stones.).

While difficult to perform due to the gag reflex, a quick brushing with a toothbrush will generally remove surfaced tonsilloliths. Using an oral analgesic like Chloraseptic can help suppress the gag reflex while cleaning the tonsils or crypts. Another effective way to remove tonsil stones is by pressing a finger or Q-tip against the bottom of the tonsil and pushing upward. The pressure squeezes out stones. Some people can even reach them with their tongue, which is the best method as the tongue doesn't stimulate the gag reflex.

Another remedy for removing them, without stimulating the gag reflex, (in most people) is to simply flex the throat, this causes the tonsils to tense up and will often result in the tonsil stone popping out.

Surgical treatment

The most aggressive form of treatment involves surgical removal of the stone, via oral curette or a tonsillectomy to remove the tonsils. For large crevices, an effective tool for digging out a stone is an ear curette. The curette is used primarily for the removal of ear wax, but is effective for removal of tonsil stones as well. It comprises a long thin metal stick with a tiny metal loop at the end. Alternatives include the curved end of a hair grip (bobby pin), crochet needle, or a cotton swab, although this is not recommended because it is known to cause infection due to the coating of the bobby pin that can flake into the cavity.

A longer term cure is possible by using laser resurfacing. The procedure is called laser tonsillectomy. This technique can be performed under local anaesthetic, using the scanned carbon dioxide laser, which vaporises and removes the surface of the tonsils. In this way, the edges of the crypts and crevices that collect the debris are flattened out, so that they can no longer trap material. Therefore stones, which are almost like pearls forming from a grain of sand, cannot form.

The most drastic method, a tonsillectomy, is not usually indicated or recommended, but will provide permanent relief.