| A tonsil so large it pushes against the uvula is abnormal. Whether to do anything about it is determined by whether or not it is causing a problem. If speech, swallowing, breathing are a problem, one might consider tonsillectomy. Recurrent bacterial infections would be a reason. If she is a child, it will likely shrink over several years; an adult might not have it get any smaller. If the tonsil is enlarged, it is not a bad idea for a doctor to see it, but there may not be any treatment indicated. John John J. Messmer, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Family & Community Medicine
Penn State College of Medicine ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2000 3:18 PM Subject: Re: [vocalist-temporary] Surgery for Sinusitis
Dr. Messmer and other informed vocalisters, I had a student who asked me Monday to look at her throat. I looked and was amazed at the size of her right tonsil. I believe it was her tonsil...it was so large it was pushing her uvula over to the other side of her throat. I asked her how long it had been like that, and she said it had been that way for about 2 years. I have not noticed problems in her voice, other than having cold-like symptoms in several of her lessons this year...Is this a normal problem, and what sort of treatments can a singer look for? Thanks for your help here... | 
