Sync by honeybunny

Lateral trangangina is the name given to a specific inflammation of the pharynx, which mainly affects the lymph vessels running down from the upper posterior pharyngeal wall (= lateral cords). In contrast to other inflammations of the pharynx, such as pharyngitis, lateral gangrene occurs relatively rarely.

The lymph vessels of the lateral cords originate near the Tuba auditiva (Eustachian tube), which forms a connection between the middle ear and the nasopharynx. For this reason, lateral gangrene can also spread to the ear and cause ear pain. Inflammatory changes in the lateral cords are usually marked by redness and swelling and are often covered with small, white stipples.

Lateral gangrene can be caused by both viruses and bacteria. In most cases, however, it is triggered by viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Usually, different phases of the disease can be distinguished:

- At the beginning, the viruses mostly attack the mucous membrane of the nose (rhinitis). This inflammation of the nasal mucosa is characterized by increased secretion of a liquid nasal secretion and increased sneezing.

- From the nasal cavity, the virus can affect the mucous membrane of the pharynx, causing pharyngitis, which is mainly accompanied by a scratchy feeling in the throat and coughing.

Bacterial infections of the lateral cords are caused in a large proportion of cases by staphylococci, streptococci and pneumococci. Bacterial inflammations in the nasal or pharyngeal cavity are usually noticeable by a whitish-yellow secretion of mucus.

If the viruses or bacteria mainly affect the lymph vessels of the upper rear pharyngeal wall (lateral cords), this is called lateral gangrene. This disease is more common in people whose adenoids have already been surgically removed.

In most cases, lateral gangrene has the following symptoms:

- dry and scratchy throat

- dry cough

- fatigue

- fever

- earache, which is aggravated by swallowing movements

- headache

- pain in the limbs

- swollen, painful lymph nodes on the lower jaw

In most cases, lateral gangrene can be diagnosed by the patient's medical history and a physical examination. In particular, the combination of the following signs of the disease indicates lateral gangrene:

- pain radiating from the throat into the ears

- cold symptoms

If the throat is examined, swelling and redness of the lateral cords, as well as white stippling covering the lateral cords, can usually be detected. If an antibiotic therapy is considered, a swab of the pharynx should be taken beforehand in order to determine the pathogen of the lateral gangrene and to apply a suitable antibiotic.

In most cases, lateral gangrene is harmless and has a good course. However, those affected should take it easy and avoid the consumption of nicotine and alcohol.

Antibiotics should only be taken in difficult cases. However, throat lozenges, nasal drops, warm throat compresses and drinking plenty of herbal tea and warm milk with honey can be used to alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

If the symptoms have not improved in about 3-6 days, a doctor should be consulted again for a check-up.

Side gangrene usually has a good prognosis and heals after a few days. However, with a weakened immune system and severe infections, the course of the disease may be more complicated and protracted. Typically, there is a renewed increase in body temperature and appearance of a sore throat, which rises into the ears. In complicated cases, unpleasant consequences may develop:

- Otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear)

- in some cases encapsulated collections of pus (abscesses) form in the throat or around the tonsils. In isolated cases, the pathogens can enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis.

- Other complicated diseases that can develop from side gangrene in rare cases are diseases of the heart (endo-, myo- and pericarditis), the kidney (glomerulonephritis) or an inflammatory systemic disease (rheumatic fever).