Scientists Publish Research on Breakthrough Treatment for Tonsil Stones

Title sounds very exciting... even more so when I realized it was talking about the research paper that I co-authored with fellow ENT colleague Dr. Richard Thrasher on a new way of addressing tonsil stones.

I never really considered myself a "scientist,"but glad to hear that at least somebody considers me one!

This article apparently came out on MedicalXpress, a medical news website. It has also been picked up in a few other channels as listed under sources.

Source:
Scientists Publish Research on Breakthrough Treatment for Tonsil Stones. MedicalXpress 6/20/12

New Minimally Invasive Technique to Treat Tonsil Stones Developed by Dr. Chang. Fauquier ENT Blog. 6/14/20

Ear, Nose & Throat Journal publishes research on breakthrough treatment for tonsil stones. EurekaAlert 6/20/12

Reference:
Coblation cryptolysis to treat tonsil stones: A retrospective case series. Ear Nose Throat J. 2012 Jun;91(6):238-54.

Read More

Tonsil Bad Breath and Tonsil Stones

The Huffington Post published a story on tonsil stones on April 4, 2012 which can lead to bad breath. The author, who is a dentist, gave the perspective of conservative treatment strategies to resolve bad breath whose root cause is due to tonsil stones otherwise known as tonsilloliths.

Such "stones" are produced and ejected from tonsils and consist of mucus, dead cells and other debris that collect in the deep pockets of the tonsils and gradually condense into small, light-colored globs. Bacteria feed on this accumulated matter, giving rise to the odor which is downright foul-smelling (and foul-tasting).

The only known cure for tonsilloliths is tonsillectomy (no tonsils = no tonsil stones), though the article does outline more conservative measures which are encouraged first prior to surgery. More recently, there is a minimally invasive procedure called tonsil cryptolysis which also has the potential to eliminate this problem prior to considering tonsillectomy. Watch video of this procedure.

A recent research paper does offer tantalizing clues to address tonsilloliths more conservatively as it found that tonsil stones are more like living biofilms rather than an inert stone. Read the abstract here. 

Source:
The Different Kinds of Bad Breath, Part 2: Tonsil Breath. Huffington Post 4/4/12

Read More