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A role for tonsillectomy in the treatment of psoriasis?

B D McMillin1, B R Maddern, W R Graham

  • 1Division of Otolaryngology, Nemours Children's Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. 32207, USA. dmcmillin@nemours.org

Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal
|April 3, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Tonsillectomy may benefit children with recurrent guttate psoriasis linked to streptococcal infections. Surgical removal of tonsils led to significant psoriasis improvement and long-term remission in a small case study.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Recurrent guttate psoriasis in children can be debilitating.
  • Association between streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis and psoriasis exacerbations is recognized.
  • Limited evidence exists on surgical interventions for this specific condition.

Observation:

  • Two pediatric cases with recurrent guttate psoriasis and streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis were reviewed.
  • Both patients underwent adenotonsillectomy as a treatment intervention.
  • Psoriasis severity and frequency of outbreaks were monitored post-surgery.

Findings:

  • Both patients demonstrated significant improvement in guttate psoriasis following adenotonsillectomy.
  • Complete remission of psoriatic lesions was observed in both children at 16-month follow-up.
  • No psoriatic relapses were reported during the follow-up period.

Implications:

  • Adenotonsillectomy may be a beneficial treatment option for children with recurrent guttate psoriasis and recurrent streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis.
  • This finding suggests a potential link between tonsillar infections and psoriasis pathogenesis in pediatric cases.
  • Further prospective studies are warranted to validate these preliminary observations and establish treatment guidelines.

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