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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults
Published on: November 6, 2019
The role of tonsillectomy in pediatric IgA nephropathy
Adam J Mariotti1, Rekha Agrawal, Andrew J Hotaling
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
Objectives:
To review pediatric cases of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in 6 patients who underwent tonsillectomy and had marked improvement of their renal symptoms and to review the appropriate indications for tonsillectomy for this disease.
Design:
Retrospective case series.
Setting:
Academic medical center.
Patients:
Six children (age range, 8-15 years) with renal biopsy-proved IgAN who were referred by a pediatric nephrologist for recurrent tonsillitis.
Intervention:
Tonsillectomy.
Main Outcome Measures:
Resolution of clinical features of IgAN, including proteinuria, gross and microscopic hematuria, and stabilization of renal function.
Results:
The 6 patients in this series had marked clinical and laboratory improvement of their nephropathy.
Conclusions:
In a select group of pediatric cases of IgAN with mild to moderate disease and recurrent tonsillitis, tonsillectomy can be a useful adjuvant treatment to improve urinary symptoms and renal function. IgA nephropathy is a common indication for tonsillectomy in Japan but is seen less often in the United States. Otolaryngologists should be aware of this indication for tonsillectomy.
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