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A review on the mechanism of sore throat in tonsillitis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2013

S Bathala  and
R Eccles
S Bathala*
Affiliation:
Common Cold Centre, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Wales, UK
R Eccles
Affiliation:
Common Cold Centre, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Wales, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr S Bathala, Common Cold Centre, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, Wales, UK Fax: 02920 874 093 E-mail: bathalas@cardiff.ac.uk
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Abstract

Background:

Sore throat is a common condition associated with acute upper respiratory tract infection, and recurrent episodes of infection may result in chronic tonsillitis. The current UK and USA guidelines for tonsillectomy use the incidence of sore throat episodes as an indication for surgery. However, the mechanism of sore throat is poorly described in the literature.

Objectives:

This review will provide basic information for the clinician regarding: the causes, pathophysiology and neurophysiology of sore throat; the mechanism of inflammation; and the role of transient receptor potential ion channels as nociceptors involved in sore throat. The review will present new ideas on the mechanism of ice therapy as an analgesic for post-tonsillectomy pain, and the role of vanilloid and cold receptors.

Keywords

Transient Receptor Potential ChannelsVanilloid Receptors
Type
Review Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 3 , March 2013 , pp. 227 - 232
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013

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