Low dose radiotherapy for adenotonsillar lymphoid hyperplasia in HIV-positive patients

Abstract

Lymphoid hyperplasia is common in HIV positive patients. The aim of this study was to determine the response to radiotherapy. Thirty-three adult patients with recurrent tonsillitis or upper airway obstruction due to tonsillar hyperplasia and conformed histology of follicular hyperplasia were included. Thirteen underwent a 24 Gy course of radiotherapy and were followed up for a minimum of 16 weeks post-radiotherapy. There was a statistically significant decrease in the median tonsillar size (95% confidence interval [-3;-2]) and in the median CD4 count (95% CI [3;152]) after 16 weeks. None of the patients had acute tonsillitis or airway obstruction after radiotherapy. Low dose radiotherapy is effective in the management of adenotonsillar hyperplasia in HIV positive patients.

Respiratory obstruction secondary to adenotonsillar hypertrophy in HIV disease

“…Treatment options in symptomatic patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy have previously been limited to surgical resection. In our case, as in previous trials, good results have been obtained with low dose radiation therapy [6] .…”