Recurrent lingual tonsil hyperplasia

Clinically significant lingual tonsil hypertrophy is a rare entity in children. We describe a child, status postadenotonsillectomy, with recurrent hypertrophy of the lingual tonsil after carbon dioxide laser ablation. Workup was negative for immunodeficiency, cystic fibrosis, and allergies. The findings of examination of multiple biopsy specimens of the tissue suggested follicular hyperplasia, and cytometery showed no evidence of a lymphoproliferative disorder. Empiric treatment with a histamine2-receptor blocker after the sixth carbon dioxide laser ablation prevented lingual tonsil hypertrophy.