Does adenoid hypertrophy always require surgery?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Is surgery necessary for adenoid hypertrophy? The answer is not necessarily.

Adenoid hypertrophy is generally caused by acute rhinitis, tonsillitis, or acute epidemic influenza, among other factors. These factors can lead to the rapid proliferation and enlargement of the adenoids, which may compress the tissues of the nasal cavity, causing nasal obstruction or sinusitis. In such cases, it depends on the symptoms triggered and how significant the impact is on the patient. If the symptoms are not particularly severe, some non-surgical treatments can be adopted, such as enhancing the body's own disease resistance. Oral medications for clearing heat and detoxifying, and if necessary, traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis can be used to adjust the condition. If the enlargement of the adenoids is significantly alleviated with these medicinal treatments, surgery may not be necessary.

However, if the disease is not well-controlled and severely affects breathing or swallowing, surgical treatment may be considered.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
56sec home-news-image

Adenoid hypertrophy should be seen by the ENT department.

The glandular body, located in the nasopharyngeal region, is an organ made up of lymphoepithelial tissue. Enlargement of the glandular body leads to an increase in its size, blocking the passage of the nasopharynx. Based on this explanation, it is understandable that glandular hypertrophy should be evaluated by an otolaryngologist. If a more detailed subdivision of specialization is necessary, it can be divided into rhinology, laryngology, and otology, with the main focus being on rhinology or laryngology depending on the specific regulations of different hospitals. In summary, glandular hypertrophy should be assessed by an otolaryngologist. Additionally, it is important to note that glandular hypertrophy can lead to developmental abnormalities, especially in dental development. If these complications occur, consultation with the relevant departments, such as dentistry, may be necessary.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Does adenoid hypertrophy have a strange smell?

Adenoid hypertrophy is a common ENT disease, mostly seen in infants and young children aged 5 to 7 years. Before surgery for adenoid hypertrophy, the blockage of the posterior nasal aperture can cause edema, inflammation, and purulent secretions in the sinus and nasal mucosa, leading to an unpleasant odor in the nasal cavity. Patients with adenoid hypertrophy usually need to undergo adenoidectomy using a plasma knife. After the surgery, local burns can cause necrosis of the mucosa, resulting in bad odors in both the nasal and oral cavities. Therefore, for patients with adenoid hypertrophy, the main approach is to maintain oral hygiene, which can help reduce the unpleasant nasal odors.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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What should I pay attention to in the diet for adenoid hypertrophy?

Adenoid hypertrophy is a common condition in children, primarily due to excessive growth of adenoid tissue on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. This condition leads to symptoms such as nasal congestion, snoring during sleep, runny nose, and sinusitis. The main treatment for adenoid hypertrophy is surgical removal. Regarding diet, it is first recommended to reduce the intake of cold beverages and spicy, irritating foods to avoid exacerbating local inflammatory responses. Secondly, it is advised to limit foods containing hormones, as they may stimulate the proliferation and congestion of lymphatic tissue, worsening the degree of adenoid hypertrophy.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can adenoid hypertrophy be seen with the naked eye?

Adenoid hypertrophy is not visible to the naked eye because the adenoids are located on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. It can only be detected through an electronic nasopharyngoscope or a CT scan of the nasopharynx to determine if there is adenoid hypertrophy. Adenoid hypertrophy is most likely to occur during childhood, typically due to long-term inflammatory infections. It often follows acute rhinitis or acute sinusitis. After adenoid hypertrophy, it can lead to bilateral nasal congestion that progressively worsens, along with snoring during sleep, tinnitus, a feeling of ear congestion, and a decrease in hearing. In severe cases, it can lead to a characteristic facial appearance known as "adenoid facies." It is necessary to have a detailed examination at a hospital for adenoid hypertrophy. An electronic nasopharyngoscope and adenoid CT can confirm the diagnosis. For treatment, during the acute phase of adenoid hypertrophy, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is necessary, along with the use of nebulized inhalation to reduce congestion and swelling of the adenoids. If conservative treatment is ineffective and the adenoid hypertrophy continues to worsen, adenoidectomy may be required to completely cure the condition.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Does adenoid hypertrophy cause yellow nasal discharge?

The glands located in our nasopharyngeal area are immune tissues. Enlargement of these glands can lead to an increase in their size, which may block our posterior nasal apertures. Consequently, the secretions in our nasal cavity cannot be properly discharged. This may eventually lead to spontaneous infections causing sinusitis, characterized by the discharge of yellow nasal mucus. Thus, there is a direct relationship between the occurrence of sinusitis in children and the enlargement of these glands. Clinically, it can be observed that after surgery for gland enlargement, the symptoms of sinusitis and the discharge of yellow nasal mucus are significantly reduced or even completely cured. Therefore, it can be said that there is a direct relationship between gland enlargement and conditions such as rhinitis, sinusitis, and the discharge of yellow nasal mucus.