Throat Flashcards
3 divisions of pharynx
Naso
Oro
Hypo
What are the boundaries of the oropharynx?
hard palate
valeculla (junction between base of tongue and epiglottis.
What are 2 key structures within the nasopharynx?
Eustacian tubes
Adenoids
What type of tissue are adenoids comprised of?
Lymphatic
What is the collection of tissue that make up the adenoids also known as?
Waldeyers’s ring
What groups of lymphoid tissue make up Waldeyer’s ring?
Adenoid
Tubal tonsils
Palatine tonsils
Lingual tonsils
At what age range do adenoids reach their maximum size?
5-7
How much adenoid tissue do adults have?
Little or none
What are the 4 key symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy?
Secretory otitis media (glue ear)
Nasal obstruction (rhinorrhoea)
Mouth breathing
Snoring/obstructive sleep apnoea
Difference between hypo and hyper nasal speech?
Hypo - no air comes out of nose
Hyper - too much air escapes during speech
2 indications for adenectomy
Airway obstruction caused by enlarged adenoids
Otitis media with effusion (glue ear) - recurrent and often as adjunct to grommet insertion
3 contraindications for adenectomy
bleeding disorders
palate deformity
recent URTI
What 2 findings must be investigated further to exclude nasopharyngeal cancer?
Unilateral glue ear
Nasopharyngeal masses in adults
How long does atypical attack of tonsilitis last?
3-7 days
What 4 organisms usually cause tonsillitis?
Viruses
Haemophilus Influenzae
Pneumococcus
Haemolytic Streptococcus
6 clinical features of tonsillitis?
Sore throat Odynophagia Fever Malaise Enlarged cervical lymph nodes Enlarged red tonsils
What is usually the first choice if antibiotic, if indicated, for tonsillitis?
Penicillin V
What antibiotics should be avoided in glandular fever and why?
Amoxicillin and ampicillin
Pt may develop florid rash
If you suspect glandular fever how can you test for this and what results will you get?
Differential blood count - raised monocytes
glandular fever screen - this may be negative so always check monocytes
If acute tonsillitis spreads locally, what 3 conditions can this result in?
Quinsy
Retropharyngeal abscess
Para pharyngeal abscess
3 rare outcomes of acute tonsillitis?
Rheumatic fever
Glomerulonephritis
Septicaemia
4 indications for tonsillitis?
Bleeding
Oropharyngeal obstruction (obstructive sleep apnoea)
Suspected malignancy
Recurrent tonsillitis
What type of cells are tosils lined with?
Squamous epithelium
What type of cancer usually affects the tonsils?
SSC
What are the SIGN recommendations for tonsillectomy?
Sore throat due to acute tonsillitis
Bad enough to require time off work or school
7 episodes in 1 year, 5 in 2 or 3 in 3.
What is the term to describe difficulty swallowing?
Dysphagia
What is the term referring to a sensation of a lump in the throat?
Globus
What is the term to describe pain on swallowing?
Odynophagia
Where do things that get stuck on swallowing usually get stuck in the oesophagus?
At the level of the cricopharynx
How can foreign bodies be removed from the oesophagus?
Rigid oesophagoscopy - general anaesthetic
OGD - sedation
What is globus pharyngeus?
Sensation of a lump in the throat
What is the likely background to globus pharyngeus?
Anxeity
Cancer phobia
work/familty stress
recent illness
Management of globus pharyngeus?
Referal to ENT clinic, for thorough examination, endoscopy and reassurance
What physical condition may contribute to globus pharyngeus?
gastroesophageal reflux
Managment of dysphagia?
Urgent referral
Barium swallow
(OGD)
(Rigid oesophagoscopy)
What is a pharyngeal pouch and who does it normally affect and where?
And area of mucosa herniates and forms a pouch that food can collect in.
Normally above the cricopharynx
Normally affects the elderly
What are the three broad categories of dysphagia?
Extraluminal obstruction
Intraluminal/neuro cause
Intraluminal obstruction
3 extraluminal causes of dysphagia?
Neck mass
Mediastinal mass
Abnormal blood vessels - double aortic arch
4 intraluminal/neuro causes of dysphagia?
MS
Motor neurone disease
Stroke
Motility disorders
3 causes of interluminal obstruction?
Stricture
Cancer
Foreign body