Palatine tonsils in smoker and non-smoker patients: a pilot clinicopathological and ultrastructural study.

BACKGROUND

Tobacco smoke is a well-known source of toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic agents. The aim of the present preliminary study was to investigate the effects of cigarette smoking on lymphoid and non-lymphoid tonsillar tissue.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 12 smoker and 10 non-smoker patients complaining recurrent tonsillitis. Clinical data, histological findings and scanning electron microscopic analyses were considered. To the best of our knowledge, such an approach has not been previously adopted in a similar experimental model.

RESULTS

Smoker patients showed a longer history of recurrent tonsillitis, difficulties in clinical management and evident morphostructural changes than non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary results suggest a possible interference of cigarette smoking with the therapy response as well as a possible role of tobacco smoke in impairment of inflammatory response. Results are critically analysed and discussed. Literature data on this subject are reviewed.