IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861. Volume 6, Issue 4 (May.- Jun. 2013), PP 59-70 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 59 | Page Histopathological Examination of Post-Tonsillectomy Specimens at a Southern Tertiary Hospital of Nigeria from Jan.2005- Dec.2012 Martin Anazodo Nnoli 1 , Collins Ogbonna Nwabuko 2 ,Chinenye Nnoli 3 1 University of Calabar Teaching Hospital,Dept of Pathology,Calabar. 2 Federal Medical Centre,Dept of Haematology,Umuahia. 3 University of UyoTeaching Hospital, Dept of Pediatrics,Uyo. Abstract:Aims & Objectives: Is to determine the necessity of histological examinations of post-tonsillectomy specimens. Materials and Methods:A study of post-tonsillectomy histologically diagnosed were analyzed from January 2005 to December,2012. Almost all samples seen within this period showed reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. A total of 392 samples were collected,of which 228 were males and 164 females. The analyses was done using SPSS version 16. This was represented according to age range and gender distribution per each year of study. They were also further displayed in both bar and pie chat. Results: The percentage of female affected within the study was 164(41.84%) and that of males was 228(58.16%). The study also showed the most affected age range are children under 10 years and this is closely followed by age range of 10-20years. These goes to show that the pediatric age is the most vulnerable age that was mostly affected. Conclusions: These shows that lower age ranges are more affected and the males are the most vulnerable in our study. We could not deduce what actually may be the factor contributing to the increase in lesion of this gender. Keywords: Post-tonsillectomy Samples, Histology, Examination I. Introduction: The lymphoid tissue of the body plays an important role in the recognition and processing of foreign antigens such as viruses,fungi and bacteria. In addition,the lymphoid tissue has a protective function through a variety of direct and indirect mechanism. In responding to antigenic challenges,lymphoid cells proliferate,thus increasing their numbers,to combat the offending agent more effectively. This proliferation results in enlargement of the lymphoid tissue which is clinically termed lymphoid hyperplasia. These could affect lymph nodes, the lymphoid tissue of waldeyers ring or the aggregates of lymphoid tissue that are normally scattered throughout the oral cavity especially in the orophyarnx,soft palate,lateral tongue and the floor of the mouth. Tonsilar size is variable from one person to another, but lymphoid tissue is normally more prominent in the younger individuals,usually reaching the peak early during the second decade of life and gradually diminishing thereafter. A few of patients have such large tonsils that it seems as if they would occlude airways so called ‘kissing tonsils’. 1 Harshmohan study also noted that lymph nodes undergo reactive changes in response to a wide variety of stimuli which include microbial infections, drugs, environmental pollutants, tissue injury, immune complexes and malignant neoplasm. The most common causes of lymph node enlargement are inflammatory and immune reactions aside from primary malignant neoplasm and metastatic tumor deposits. Those due to primary inflammatory reactions are termed reactive lymphadenitis. Those due to primary immune reactions are referred to as lymphadenopathy. 2 Lingual tonsils hyperplasia though rare but may cause obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is why it is adviceable to evaluate this area during physical examination of patients with apnoea. 3 Tonsillectomy which is removal of palatine tonsils has been a long practiced procedure hence is performed for a wide range of indications. This is divided into therapeutics,diagnostics and access for other procedures. However, the most common indication has been in infective causes. The other indications are patients with obstructive symptoms such as snoring and sleep apnea. Regardless of the indications, tonsillectomy specimens are routinely sent for histological analysis because of the fear that tonsils may harbor malignancy. 4 The routine examination of this specimen(tonsils) have been intensified in most developing countries as a routine in physical examination. There is now divided opinion as to why this should be encouraged. 5