• Werner Garavello, Marco Romagnoli, and Renato Maria Gaini.
• Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ospedale San Gerardo, University of Milano-Bicocca, DNTB Monza, Italy. werner.garavello@unimib.it
• J. Pediatr. 2009 Aug 1; 155 (2): 250-3.

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether adenotonsillectomy leads to complete resolution in children with PFAPA (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis) syndrome.Study DesignThirty-nine children with PFAPA syndrome were randomized to either adenotonsillectomy (surgery group; n = 19) or expectant management (control group; n = 20). All patients were then invited prospectively to record all PFAPA episodes, and were evaluated clinically every 3 months for 18 months after randomization.ResultsThe proportion of patients experiencing complete resolution was 63% in the surgery group and 5% in the control group (P < .001). The mean (+/- standard deviation) number of episodes recorded during the study period was 0.7 +/- 1.2 in the surgery group and 8.1 +/- 3.9 in the control group (P < .001). The episodes were less severe in the surgery group.ConclusionsAdenotonsillectomy is an effective treatment strategy for children with PFAPA syndrome.

21 keywords...

hide…