IS FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION OF THE TONSIL SUPERIOR TO A SURFACE SWAB FOR ISOLATING ITS CORE FLORA IN RECURRENT TONSILLITIS

This prospective study was designed to explore the possible role of fi ne needle aspiration of recurrently inflamed tonsils in determining th eir core flora. Seventy-seven patients undergoing tonsillectomy for re current tonsillitis were included. Colonies grown from fine needle asp irate and surface swab were compared with tonsillar core culture obtai ned after tonsillectomy. The pathogens isolated by fine needle aspirat ion culture were not greatly different from surface swab results in co mparison to core isolates. The results of fine needle aspirate do not appear to confer any advantage over surface swab in representing core flora. These findings would seem to indicate no clinical use for fine needle aspiration in the management of recurrent tonsillitis.