Summary

As a result of recurrent infections, benign lesions may occur in palatinal tonsils. To evaluate benign histopathologic lesions in routine tonsillectomy specimens, we reviewed archival material of 1220 cases who underwent tonsillectomy because of frequent tonsillitis, sleep apnea and snoring. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) sections of the cases have been re-examined and the presence and the ratio of actinomyces colonies, cryptic abscess, cyst formations (dilated crypts with formation of cysts lined by squamous epithelium and filled with keratin), granulomas and fibrotic interstitial reaction were noted. The incidence of actinomyces colonies, cryptic abscess, cyst formations, granulomas, fibrous band thickening and fibrosis was 101 (8,22%), 90 (7,37%), 97 (7,95%), 7(0,57%), 64 (5,41%), 7 (0,57%) respectively. In conclusion, benign lesions are frequently seen in tonsilla palatina and these lesions are only seen in the microscopic examination, therefore histopathologic evaluation of all tonsillectomy specimens is recommended.