Cryosurgical treatment of the lymphoid tissue of Waldeyer's ring.

The role of cryosurgery in the treatment of tonsil disease is an unresolved issue. Initial favorable reports failed to provide the necessary incentives for larger well-controlled studies. Bacteriologic and immunologic response to the cryosurgical treatment of tonsils remains unclear. Without appropriate studies, cryosurgery has been relegated to a backup status for conventional tonsil surgery. At present, cryogenic treatment of lymphoid tissue is generally limited to tonsillectomy in patients with blood dyscrasias; elimination of palatine tonsil regrowth and posterior pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia; and occasional laryngeal and lingual tonsillectomy.