Medical Problems: Exudative Tonsilitis

OVERVIEW

This page is designed to organize content that is relevant to the topic of exudative tonsillitis. This term is used often in medicine, and it is important that we become as familiar as possible with it.

WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?

Before going any farther, let us make sure we clearly define the “medical problem”. Exudative tonsillitis refers to inflammation/swelling of the tonsillitis WITH the presence of an inflammatory exudate (often visualized as a “white-yellow” coating of the tonsils).

Clinical appearance of exudative tonsillitis (source)
Clinical appearance of exudative tonsillitis. The tonsils are clearly enlarged and covered with a white exudate  (source)
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?

Tonsillitis can be painful, and if severe enough, can also compromise the airway.

ORGANIZING THE DIFFERENTIAL

The differential diagnosis for exudative tonsillitis can be organized in a few different ways:

CLINICAL “WORKUP”

Now that the possible causes of exudative tonsillitis have been established, the focus can shift to how one would actually “work-up” a patient who presents with exudative tonsillitis. 

 

Page Updated: 12.01.2016