Self-assessment of Tonsil Size

The participants receive instructions on two tonsil size classification scales and then, using a tongue depressor as well as their mobile phone camera and/or a flashlight and a mirror, the participants assess the size of their own tonsils on two scales.

After the self-assessment, a medical student and two ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists evaluate the participants' tonsil size using a tongue depressor and a headlamp, applying the same scales.

The objective of this study is to demonstrate that patient self-assessment constitutes a sufficiently accurate method for evaluating tonsil size. Furthermore, it aims to show that patients experiencing conditions such as sleep apnea or swallowing difficulties can, on the basis of their own assessment, be appropriately referred to an otolaryngologist for surgical evaluation, thereby conserving healthcare resources and reducing the time burden for patients.

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Key information

Conditions

Tonsillar Hypertrophy

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Turku University Hospital

Turku, Finland

Location contact

Henrik M Sjoblom, M.D.

CONTACT

[email protected]

About this study

A total of 70 to 100 medical students from the first to third year of study will be recruited beginning in 2025, with recruitment extended into 2026 if necessary. Participants will be provided with a plain-language summary of the research plan and will be asked to provide written informed consent to participate.

The investigators hypothesize that both participants and a trained medical student will be able to assess tonsil size-categorizing them as small, medium, or large, as well as grading them on a 0-4 scale-with sufficient agreement compared to professional evaluation, defined as an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of at least 0.60.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Exclusion criteria

Experience in clinical work with patients
Prior tonsillectomy

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Sufficient intraclass correlation coefficient

Time frame: At enrollment (day 1)

The investigators hypothesize that both participants and a trained medical student will be able to assess tonsil size-categorizing them as small, medium, or large, as well as grading them on a 0-4 scale-with sufficient agreement compared to professional evaluation, defined as an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of at least 0.60.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Turku University Hospital

Other Gov

Registry information

Official study title

Validity of Patients' Self-assessment of Tonsil Size

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Oct 3, 2025
Registry last updated: Oct 3, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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