Vol.103 No.1 contentsPRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 103 No. 1 January 2010
Questionnaire Survey on Pustulosis Palmaris et Plantaris (PPP) and Tonsillectomy
-The Perception of Otolaryngologists and Dermatologists-
Tomoki Yoshizaki, Miki Takahara, Seigo Ueda,
Toshitaka Totani and Yasuaki Harabuchi
(Asahikawa Medical College)
Today, pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP) is widely accepted to be one of the tonsil-related diseases because tonsillectomy is quite effective in curing this condition. In addition, many fundamental findings have been reported which suggest that the tonsil plays a key role in the pathogenesis of PPP. However, criteria for the operation for PPP have not been established yet, so a common opinion of tonsillectomy for PPP has not been obtained from both dermatologists and otolaryngologists. In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey to determine the current situation of tonsillectomy for PPP. Questionnaires were sent to otolaryngology and dermatology departments of the university hospitals in Japan. The results revealed that a deep relation between PPP and the tonsils was recognized by many otolaryngologists, however, the majority of dermatologists seemed to feel that the tonsils played a small role in the pathogenesis of PPP. To reduce the perception gap regarding the relationship between PPP and the tonsils among otolaryngologists and dermatologists, criteria regarding tonsillectomy for PPP need to be established.
Key words :pustulosis palmaris et plantaris, tonsillectomy, tonsillar focal disease