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.

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.

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

New Webpage on Cryptolysis: A Minimally Invasive Procedure to Treat Tonsil Stones

A new webpage has been created describing tonsil cryptolysis, a minimally invasive procedure to treat tonsil stones otherwise known as tonsiloliths.

The procedure we offer is similar to laser cryptolysis, but without the risks of laser use. Such risks involved with using a laser include:

1) No risk of airway fire (if a spark occurs due to laser use, it can ignite the air)
2) No risk of blindness (laser can bounce off shiny surfaces like metal and reflect out and burn the retina)
3) No risk of oral and facial burns (lasers do not burn just the tonsil, it can burn anything that gets in the way... in other words, do NOT turn your head, sneeze, cough, or gag if the laser is turned on!!!)
4) No risk of inhaling the plume of vaporized tissue (which can cause airway burns as well as spread infection)

Read more about tonsil cryptolysis here.

Give us a call to make an appointment with us to see if you are a candidate for this procedure!