A cyst on the gland (tonsil) is a benign abdominal neoplasm that is filled with pus or serous exudate, often with an admixture of blood. It must be treated. After all, tonsils are the most important part of the immune system that protects the body from infections and helps to synthesize lymphocytes.
Why does a cyst appear? What symptoms indicate its presence? How is the diagnosis performed? What does treatment mean? These and many other questions should be answered.
Briefly about the neoplasm
A cyst on the gland occurs due to a violation of the drainage function of the lymphadenoid tissues. Because of this, microscopic debris (food particles, mucus, tissue breakdown, serous fluid) begins to accumulate in the tonsils. As a result, the tissues of the tonsils are stretched. And this leads to the formation of a cavity with liquid contents.
This problem is faced by people who are sick with one of the following ailments:
- Tonsillitis. Chronic inflammation in the tonsils.
- Adenoiditis This is called inflammation of the adenoids and lymphatic tissue, which helps the body cope with infections.
A cyst on the gland, whose photo is unpleasant, needs to be treated immediately after symptoms are detected. This neoplasm can grow rapidly. Many scientists believe that it can become malignant.
Causes
As mentioned earlier, a cyst on the gland, a photo of which is presented in this article below, appears in people who have a history of either adenoiditis or tonsillitis.
But a provoking factor can be any infectious and inflammatory disease of a chronic nature affecting the oropharynx (sinusitis, laryngitis, etc.). In such cases, the patient has swelling of the mucosa, and this is a favorable environment for the growth of pathological neoplasms and tissues.
Also provoking factors include:
- Weakening of the body's defenses.
- Tonsil injuries.
- Change in hormonal levels.
- Autoimmune pathologies.
- Alcohol and nicotine abuse.
- Harmful work in the workplace (forced inhalation of air polluted by chemical vapor).
- Sluggish inflammation of the oropharynx.
Symptoms
You can understand from the photo how the cyst looks on the tonsils. Here are just all the publicly available pictures depicting tumors in a neglected state. For a long time, the cyst does not manifest itself in any way. As a rule, it is discovered by chance either during a routine examination of the otolaryngologist, or at the time of the medical examination.
The patient begins to notice a certain discomfort when the size of the neoplasm approaches 1 centimeter. The following symptoms are observed:
- Bad breath. It occurs due to the fact that food particles deposited on the tumor decompose.
- Frequent tickling that occurs when eating food.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Numbness, burning, sensation of a foreign body in the throat.
- Pain that is localized in the tonsils.
- Hoarseness, nasal.
- The appearance of bloody impurities in saliva.
Also, a cyst that has arisen on the gland often causes difficulties with nasal breathing, and sometimes particles of food enter the nasal passages.
Diagnostics
The otolaryngologist is involved in determining the type of cyst, its danger, and also identifying possible complications. In addition to the survey and visual inspection, the following diagnostic measures are carried out:
- Ultrasound
- Rhinoscopy
- Pharyngoscopic examination.
- MRI
- CT scan.
- X-ray
If the patient finds other diseases that may be the cause of the appearance of a tumor, he is sent for additional diagnosis. It will be clarifying in nature and will help determine the future therapeutic tactics.
The patient may be prescribed bacteriological culture, puncture, audiometry. In the presence of signs of malignancy, the presence of a cyst inside the tonsil and a large tumor, a biopsy is strictly required. An oncologist consultation may also be required.
Complications
They will arise if a person does not pay attention in time to the cyst formed on the glands. What is the danger of this benign tumor? At least the fact that it is a chronic focus of infection. And he can lead himself unpredictably.
This neoplasm is constantly subjected to mechanical irritation (it is rubbed by food). As a result, the inflammation worsens. The longer a person ignores a cyst, the more infection progresses. And pathogens spread to all organs and cells along with blood flow. Their work is therefore disturbed.
It should also be noted that an ignored cyst is often accompanied by intoxication of the body. Toxins produced during the life of bacteria of a pathogenic nature negatively affect the functioning of the kidneys and liver. For the same reason, chronic fatigue syndrome occurs and immunity weakens. A person becomes vulnerable even before an attack of harmless infections.
Children's pathology
A cyst on the gland in a child, as a rule, appears either due to bacterial infections or due to hormonal disorders. Usually they hurt and bleed.
In rare cases, a cyst can be congenital. But it is found immediately after birth - when examined by a pediatrician.
It is urgent to treat a cyst in a child. Even a small tumor creates a serious burden on the children's body, and a large neoplasm can completely disrupt breathing and swallowing. In rare cases, a cyst causes asphyxiation.
Operation
Removing a cyst on the gland is the easier, the smaller its size. Small neoplasms are completely opened with subsequent pumping out of the contents. After that, the patient takes high-quality antiseptics and anti-inflammatory drugs to recover quickly.
If this technique is ineffective, they perform a classic operation, in which the surgeon removes the neoplasm or even the tonsils. But this is only when they are hypertrophied and can not cope with their functions.
The extent of the intervention will depend on the size of the tumor, the general well-being of the patient and the state of the ENT organs. The operation can be performed both under general and local anesthesia. In any case, prolonged hospitalization is not required.
It is very important to remove the tumor completely. If the cyst on the gland is large, rapidly growing, and even often provokes an exacerbation of ENT diseases, then the doctor can prescribe a tonsillectomy, in which the tonsils are removed. With recurrent tonsillitis, this is the only right decision.
Rehabilitation
Since we are talking about how a cyst looks on the tonsils and how in general this education can be eliminated, it is worth touching on the topic of rehabilitation.
Here's what you need to do after surgery:
- Drink antibacterial drugs.
- Do not forget to treat the oropharynx with solutions that promote wound healing.
- Follow a diet.
The latter is especially important. It is necessary to switch to a diet that will not only avoid injuring the mucous membrane of the tonsils and pharynx, but also accelerate the healing of the wound formed after surgery. Therefore, it will be necessary to exclude cold and hot dishes from the diet, as well as everything salty, spicy and hard. Food will need to be consumed only warm and mashed.
Local treatment
Many people who are faced with the described problem are wondering: "A cyst on the gland has formed - what should I do?" A competent answer to this question can only be given by a doctor after studying the diagnostic results. But if we talk about local treatment, then usually it involves the following measures:
- Gargling with soda or saline, necessarily with the addition of "Chlorophyllipt" or "Iodinol."
- Washing the cystic region with antiseptic compounds using a syringe. Usually use Rotokan, Miramistin and Furacilin.
- Inhalation. They are performed using a nebulizer, be sure to use drugs such as Chlorhexidine, Fluimucil, Amikacin.
- Drainage of the contents of the cyst. It is performed by a special vacuum device called Tonsillor. After the procedure, an anti-inflammatory solution is injected into the cavity.
- Gently rubbing cysts using antiseptics. This is necessary to remove surface deposits.
When treating a cyst on the glands, you need not to exert strong pressure on its walls. They are very easy to tear. If this happens, the contents will be on the soft tissues of the pharynx. This problem can provoke the development of sepsis or inflammation.
Drug therapy
Continuing to talk about the treatment of cysts in the glands, it is worth listing the drugs that doctors usually prescribe to their patients. The most popular are:
- Laripront. Lysozyme antiseptic, presented in the form of lozenges. It has antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and mucolytic effects.
- "Bioparox." Aerosol, which is a local antibiotic. It is made on the basis of fusafungin. Helps to quickly get rid of pain when swallowing, reduce swelling of the pharyngeal and palatine tonsils, improve the general condition.
- "Aqualor throat." This antiseptic is available in the form of a solution prepared on the basis of sea water. It has a broad effect: restores the mucous cavities of the nasopharynx, eliminates inflammation and irritation, moisturizes.
- Derinat. A powerful immunostimulant that positively affects regenerative and reparative processes. It has antitumor, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, membrane stabilizing, antioxidant and anti-allergic effects.
- Betaferon. This medication is interferon. It has an immunoregulatory and antiviral effect.
- "Immunal." Taking this drug has a positive effect on non-specific immunity, enhancing it. Also, this drug inhibits the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
In the event that the cyst formed on the gland is purulent, the use of antibiotics will be required.
Physiotherapy
Procedures that activate lymphatic outflow and blood microcirculation may also be useful in treatment. These include:
- Phonophoresis. This method involves a combination of ultrasound exposure and the patient taking medications.
- Irradiation with ultraviolet or infrared light.
- ENT massage.
These treatments help tonsils recover. But they are not a panacea. Doctors, as a rule, recommend combining medication with physiotherapy.
Folk remedies
According to reviews, a cyst on the gland can be eliminated if you follow the secrets of alternative medicine.
Infusions of herbs are especially effective. For their preparation, it is recommended to use the following plant materials:
- St. John's wort
- Oak bark.
- Eucalyptus.
- A series of.
- Chamomile
You just need to take 2 tbsp. herbs, pour it into a container, and then pour a glass of water. Then cook for 15 minutes over medium heat. After time (the composition should boil a little) remove from the stove and let it brew. Then cool, strain and gargle.
Also, the cyst can be lubricated with Kalanchoe juice. And rinses with a decoction of onion peels are also useful.
The use of sea buckthorn oil is very common. It is used in inhalations, applied to the affected area, consumed by a spoon inside.
It’s also useful for them to gargle in the morning (before all hygiene procedures and breakfast). You need to collect a small amount in your mouth and intensively “roll” it. After 5-6 minutes, spit out, then rinse the cavity with boiled warm water.
Prevention
In order to avoid the formation of cysts, the following rules must be observed:
- Lead a healthy lifestyle.
- In time to treat any diseases of the nasopharynx.
- At least morning and evening, thoroughly brush your teeth and oral cavity.
- Adhere to a diet enriched with vitamins, minerals, macro- and microelements.
- Fight chronic infections.
- Do not supercool.
- Strengthen local immunity.
But if a cyst was detected, you need to contact the otolaryngologist for help. Remember: this is a hotbed of chronic infection that poses a threat to health.