A Case of Huge Lingual Tonsillar Hypertrophy Causing Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adult

Han, Hyun Ju; Lee, Dong Jun; Mo, Ji Hun; Lee, Sang Joon

doi:2016.23.1.60

J Rhinol > Volume 23(1); 2016

Case Report

Journal of Rhinology 2016;23(1):60-64.
Published online May 31, 2016.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18787/jr.2016.23.1.60

A Case of Huge Lingual Tonsillar Hypertrophy Causing Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adult

Hyun Ju Han, Dong Jun Lee, Ji Hun Mo, Sang Joon Lee

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. lsj72@dankook.ac.kr

성인에서 폐쇄성 수면 무호흡을 동반한 거대 설편도 비대 1례

한현주, 이동준, 모지훈, 이상준

단국대학교 의과대학 이비인후-두경부외과학교실

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by repeated episodes of obstructive apnea and hypopnea. Lingual tonsillar hypertrophy causing obstructive symptoms is a rare disease in adults. Recently, we experienced a case of obstructive sleep apnea due to massive lingual tonsillar hypertrophy. The patient had tonsillectomy as a child and underwent adenoidectomy three years prior to the current presentation due to snoring and sleep apnea. However, symptoms did not improve and were recently aggravated. The upper airway evaluation and polysomnography revealed excessive lingual tonsillar hypertrophy and severe obstructive sleep apnea. An enlarged lingual tonsil was successfully removed using a Coblator. No recurrence was observed, and the obstructive sleep apnea was resolved postoperatively.

Key Words: Tonsil;Hypertrophy;Lingual;Obstructive sleep apnea