[The measurement of superoxide dismutase levels in recurrent tonsillitis. Its practical use].

Superoxide radicals generated in the palatal tonsils by recurrent local infections cause an organic response consistent in synthesis of superoxide dismutase. Tonsillar concentrations of this enzyme correlate with the incidence of tonsillitis. Moreover, superoxide dismutase levels in erythrocytes rise in children proportional to tonsillar concentration in a statistically significant way (y = 0.2356x - 64.918; R2 = 0.9266). The similarities in local and systemic changes in recurrent tonsillitis suggest that the determination of superoxide dismutase in peripheral blood could be a good screening method for determining who should undergo tonsillectomy.