JOURNAL ARTICLE

Lingual Tonsil Hypertrophy in OSA: The Role of Prior Tonsillectomy and Associated Clinical Risk Factors.

  • Published In: Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 2026, v. 135, n. 2. P. 108 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Riestra-Ayora, Juan; Vaduva, Cristina; López Riolobos, Cristina; Fernández-Navarro, Carlos; Garrote Garrote, María; Sánchez-Rodríguez, Carolina; Abad Fernández, Araceli; Martin-Sanz, Eduardo 3 of 3

Abstract

This article investigates the association between prior palatine tonsillectomy and lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH) severity in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In a cross-sectional study of 117 adult OSA patients, those with a history of tonsillectomy exhibited significantly greater LTH, independent of obesity, age, or craniofacial anatomy. Smoking and positional OSA were also independently linked to increased LTH severity, while gastroesophageal reflux disease and allergic rhinitis showed no significant association. The findings suggest a compensatory lymphoid hypertrophy mechanism within Waldeyer's ring following tonsillectomy and underscore the importance of individualized anatomical assessment, particularly for surgical and anesthetic planning in OSA patients with prior tonsillectomy.

Additional Information

  • Source:Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 2026/02, Vol. 135, Issue 2, p108
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Anatomy and Physiology
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0003-4894
  • DOI:10.1177/00034894251375867
  • Accession Number:190644882
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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