What is adenoid hypertrophy in children?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 04, 2024
00:00
00:00

The adenoid, also known as the pharyngeal tonsil or lymphoid tissue, is located at the top of the nasopharynx and the posterior pharyngeal wall. It looks like an orange segment and is most active in growth from ages 2 to 6 in children, gradually atrophying after age 10. Due to repetitive inflammation, the adenoid can undergo pathological hyperplasia, known as adenoid hypertrophy, which can cause clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion and mouth breathing. The main cause of adenoid hypertrophy is inflammation in the nasopharyngeal region or the adenoid itself. Repeated stimulation leads to pathological hyperplasia. Common causes include recurrent acute and chronic nasopharyngitis, various acute infectious diseases in childhood, which exacerbate nasal congestion symptoms, obstruct nasal drainage, and nasal and sinus secretions further stimulate the adenoid, causing it to continue to grow and creating a vicious cycle.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 10sec home-news-image

Is the incidence of adenoid hypertrophy high?

The incidence of adenoid hypertrophy is very high, typically caused by acute inflammatory stimuli, and is directly related to the current dietary habits of children. Acute inflammation can include acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, acute rhinitis, and sinusitis. Inflammation leads to congestion, edema, proliferation, and exudation of the adenoids. This can cause patients to experience persistent bilateral nasal congestion, snoring during sleep, decreased hearing, tinnitus, deafness, ear pain, and other related symptoms. A diagnosis can be clarified by examining with an electronic nasopharyngoscope. In terms of treatment, conservative treatment for adenoid hypertrophy starts with oral antibiotics. Additionally, inhalation nebulization is needed to relieve the congestion and edema of the adenoids. If conservative treatment is ineffective, the patient may need to undergo adenoidectomy for recovery. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
1min 7sec home-news-image

What anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken for adenoid hypertrophy?

Most glandular hypertrophy does not require antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, as it is a common condition or physiological manifestation in children. Glandular hypertrophy is the proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharyngeal area, causing partial obstruction of the posterior nasal aperture. Initially, clinical symptoms should be assessed. If there is only simple hypertrophy without any discomfort, it can be observed without treatment. However, if glandular hypertrophy is accompanied by clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, snoring during sleep, and mouth breathing, the use of oral medications and nasal sprays should be considered, but generally, anti-inflammatory drugs are not needed. If there is an acute inflammatory response in the glands, the use of antibiotics along with regular follow-ups and nasal cavity cleaning should be considered. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medication should only be taken under the guidance of a professional medical doctor, and blind medication should be avoided.)

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

Can adenoid hypertrophy heal itself?

The adenoids are normal lymphoepithelial tissue located in our nasopharynx. In young children, especially around the ages of 5-6, the adenoids become enlarged or hyperplastic. This can then easily lead to the obstruction of surrounding structures causing issues such as snoring, sinusitis, and otitis media. Generally, adenoid hypertrophy is self-resolving because, after the age of around ten, the adenoids gradually atrophy. However, there are a minority of patients in whom the adenoids do not atrophy. Although the adenoids of the vast majority of patients will atrophy around the age of ten, it is important to recognize that from hypertrophy to atrophy, there is a long duration during which if deformities or conditions that affect body development occur, they cannot be reversed to normal. Therefore, it is essential to treat and intervene timely in patients with adenoid hypertrophy.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
47sec home-news-image

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.