Pharyngeal keratosis (keratosis of pharynx) is an abnormal keratinization of pharyngeal lymphoid tissue, most commonly occurring in the palatine tonsils and lingual tonsils, with keratotic lesions in other parts of the pharynx being relatively rare. This condition predominantly affects young individuals under the age of 30. The exact disease cause remains unclear, but it has traditionally been associated with corynebacterium infection, poor oral hygiene, and chronic inflammation of the sinuses and pharyngeal lymphoid tissue.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

Patients often experience discomfort in the throat, such as dryness, itching, mild pain, and a foreign body sensation. The course of the disease is prolonged, with varying severity of symptoms. Some patients may have no obvious subjective symptoms and only discover the condition during a throat examination. Locally, yellowish-white keratinized protrusions can be seen on the surface, appearing granular or spiny, with a hard texture and tightly adhered base that cannot be wiped off.

bubble_chart Diagnosis

The diagnosis is easy based on the symptoms and signs. However, since the keratotic lesions mainly occur in the epithelial layer at the opening of the tonsillar crypts, it is often misdiagnosed as crypt tonsillitis.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

Asymptomatic individuals do not require treatment. If symptoms are significant or the patient is highly anxious, methods such as electrocautery, cryotherapy, or laser therapy can be used to remove the keratosis. If the tonsils become a focus of sexually transmitted disease, they can be excised along with the lesion.