What should be done about children's adenoid hypertrophy?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 02, 2024
00:00
00:00

In the case of adenoid hypertrophy in children, the first step is to assess the severity of the enlargement. If the adenoids are enlarged to the third degree, affecting breathing, especially with noticeable snoring after falling asleep at night, or symptoms such as frequent waking due to choking and hypoxia, surgery is generally recommended. This involves going to an otolaryngology department to surgically remove the enlarged adenoids. If the enlargement is only at the first degree or between the first and second degrees, and not very severe, local anti-inflammatory and swelling-reducing medications can be used for treatment.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
42sec home-news-image

How to check for adenoid hypertrophy?

Adenoid hypertrophy is mainly seen in infants and young children. Children with adenoid hypertrophy often also have enlarged tonsils. Therefore, it is important to ask if the patient breathes with their mouth open, snores, or has episodes of breath-holding. In older children, a nasal endoscopy can be performed to find that the adenoids block two-thirds or even up to three-quarters of the posterior nasal aperture. For smaller children who may not cooperate, imaging studies such as nasopharyngeal CT, X-rays, and lateral films can be used to detect adenoids. In the nasopharynx, the imaging will show the presence of soft tissue with clear boundaries from the surrounding areas.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 4sec home-news-image

How to perform pediatric massage for adenoid hypertrophy

Children's adenoid hypertrophy does not respond to massage therapy. It is typically caused by an acute inflammatory response, leading to sudden congestion, edema, proliferation, and exudation of the glands. Symptoms include fever, nasal congestion, sneezing, and snoring during sleep; severe cases can also lead to a decrease in hearing, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ears. In treating acute adenoid hypertrophy, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is required first. This includes oral or intravenous antibiotics, which are usually effective due to bacterial infections, with penicillin antibiotics often having good outcomes. Local treatments such as nebulization can also help to reduce gland congestion and swelling. A light diet, drinking more water, and resting can generally lead to improvement. However, if the condition recurs frequently, local surgical treatment may be necessary. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 19sec home-news-image

Is nasal discharge a sign of improvement in adenoid hypertrophy?

Enlargement of the adenoids accompanied by a runny nose is not a sign of improvement but a symptom of worsening. Enlargement of the adenoids is primarily due to symptoms caused by acute viral or bacterial infections following a decrease in the body’s immunity and resistance. This can lead to diffuse congestion and edema of the glands, causing the patient to experience persistent nasal congestion and discharge of yellow nasal mucus. In severe cases, it can cause nocturnal suffocation. Initially, a detailed examination at the hospital is necessary. Diagnosis can be confirmed with an electronic nasopharyngoscope and a nasopharyngeal CT. During the examination, granular masses can be found on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx; these are soft in texture and not painful. In terms of treatment, during the acute phase of adenoid hypertrophy, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is required, including the use of antibiotics and concurrent nebulizer inhalation to reduce congestion and edema of the adenoids. If the enlargement persists and conservative treatment is ineffective, adenoidectomy may be necessary to achieve a complete cure.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
52sec home-news-image

Adenoid hypertrophy is what?

The adenoid is a lymphoepithelial tissue located in our nasopharynx, and it has certain immune functions. Under the stimulation of various factors such as infectious or immune factors, the immune tissue and glands of the adenoid hypertrophy, leading to enlarged adenoids. Once the adenoids are enlarged, they can block our posterior nasal apertures and the pharyngeal opening of the Eustachian tube. This, in turn, can cause us to snore, breathe through the mouth, and lead to secretory otitis media. The progression of the condition can affect our hearing, impact physical development, affect the development of the facial and jaw regions, and result in an adenoid facies. Therefore, when clinical symptoms of adenoid enlargement appear, active management is generally required, mainly surgical treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
49sec home-news-image

Can adenoid hypertrophy be seen with the naked eye?

Adenoid hypertrophy is a common disease in otolaryngology, and it is not visible to the naked eye. The diagnosis of excessive growth and hypertrophy of adenoid tissue is mainly made through electronic nasopharyngoscopy and lateral nasopharyngeal radiograph examinations. Typically, if the adenoid tissue occupies more than 2/3 of the posterior nasal aperture, it can be diagnosed as adenoid hypertrophy. Patients mainly show symptoms such as snoring, breath-holding, and hypoxia during sleep at night, as well as daytime sleepiness and reduced memory. Patients with adenoid hypertrophy require surgical ablation of the hypertrophied adenoid tissue to improve their sleep conditions at night and achieve cure.