Fact-sheet: Adenoid hypertrophy


Updated on 10/03/2018 at 2:41 PM

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Definition

Hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsil, a normal reaction during immune maturation. When significant, this hypertrophy may have clinical consequences.

Clinical features

Signs suggestive of upper airway obstruction (nasopharyngeal):

  • Child often pale, hypotrophic
  • Permanent nasal obstruction
  • Mouth breathing
  • Nocturnal snoring
  • Nasal voice
  • Adenoid facies
  • Pigeon chest deformity

Radiography

Lateral radiograph of the nasopharynx, on nasal inspiration, mouth closed:

  • Anterior bulging of the soft tissues (adenoid thickness > distance separating the floor of the sella from the inferior surface of the sphenoid body)
  • Narrowed airway column (<5mm)

Management

Surgical treatment sometimes required (if significant breathing impairment, frequent infectious flare-ups): Adenoidectomy