Title:Chronic Streptococcal and Non-Streptococcal Pharyngitis
Volume: 12
Issue: 4
Author(s): R. C. Murray and S. K. Chennupati
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Chronic pharyngitis, group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS), intracapsular tonsillectomy, quality of
life (QOL), tonsillitis, Waldeyer’s ring, Pharyngitis, infectious etiologies, bacterial etiologies, adenitis syndrome, adenotonsillectomy, adenotonsillectomy exist, pediatric
Abstract: Pharyngitis is a common medical problem in the outpatient medical setting, resulting in more than seven million
pediatric visits each year. Most types of pharyngitis are caused by infectious etiologies. The most common cause of
pharyngitis is viral infection; however, some of the more serious types of pharyngitis are attributed to bacterial etiologies,
such as group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS). Complications from GAS pharyngitis include rheumatic
fever, deep space abscesses, and toxic shock. Although most episodes of pharyngitis are acute in nature, a small percentage
becomes recurrent or chronic. With regards to chronic pharyngitis, non-infectious etiologies, such as laryngopharyngeal
reflux and periodic fever, aphthous ulcers, pharyngitis, and adenitis syndrome also need to be considered. Both medical
and surgical therapies are effective in managing pharyngitis. First-line medical therapy includes antibiotic therapy. For
certain indications, surgical management via adenotonsillectomy is recommended. Adenotonsillectomy has been shown to
be effective in reducing disease burden and improving disease-specific and global quality of life. Several techniques for
adenotonsillectomy exist, including traditional and intracapsular tonsillectomies.
