Siddha Therapeutic Approach in the Management of Tonsillolith: A Case Report

Abstract

Tonsillolith or calculi of the tonsil is an unusual presentation of stone formation within the tonsillar crypts, most commonly affecting young adults, and typically takes 2–3 years to develop. In Siddha literature, Nina Kural Kammal is considered the synonymous term for tonsillolith, as documented in the classical text Pothu Maruthuvam. A 22-year-old female patient presented with complaints of throat irritation, a tickling sensation and odynophagia. She had previously received allopathic treatment but declined the advised surgical intervention, opting instead for Siddha management. On examination, the tonsils revealed hard, whitish, horny plug-like projections on the right tonsil, associated with bilateral palatine tonsillitis. The patient was managed as per siddha therapeutic guidelines followed in the outpatient department. A combination of internal medicines and external medicines was prescribed based on the clinical assessment and siddha principles.The pre- and post-treatment, physical examination and Brodsky scale showed improvement in patient’s clinical symptoms and inflammation of tonsils. The intervention resulted in a significant and promising clinical outcome, highlighting the potential efficacy of Siddha medicine in the management of tonsillolith.