Can adenoid hypertrophy cause otitis media?

Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 04, 2024
00:00
00:00

Adenoid hypertrophy is commonly seen in children. The adenoids are located at the back of the nasal cavity, more precisely, at the nasopharyngeal region of the posterior nasal cavity. The nasal cavity is connected to the ears via the Eustachian tube, whose internal opening is situated in the nasopharynx. If the adenoids are enlarged, they can block the internal opening of the Eustachian tube. Therefore, adenoid hypertrophy can cause secretory otitis media. The common symptoms of secretory otitis media in children include a decrease in hearing, turning up the volume of the TV intentionally, and a sluggish response when called. This explains the mechanism and clinical presentation of how adenoid hypertrophy can lead to otitis media.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
41sec home-news-image

Can adenoid hypertrophy be prevented by vaccination?

Enlarged glands can lead to sleep apnea, snoring, decreased hearing, and secondary sinus infections. If the enlargement is simple without these symptoms, it does not affect vaccination. However, if the enlargement leads to acute sinus infection, manifested by chills, fever, a large amount of thick nasal discharge, or pus-like discharge, these are symptoms of an acute infection, and vaccination should not be administered. Appropriate treatment should be given first, and after the condition is controlled, vaccination can then proceed. Simple adenoid hypertrophy does not impact vaccination.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
53sec home-news-image

What should I do about adenoid hypertrophy?

Adenoid hypertrophy is a relatively common disease among children, and it also occurs in a small portion of adolescents and adults. Generally, it is necessary to first perform a nasopharyngoscopy to assess the specific extent of hypertrophy. If the hypertrophy is very mild and there are no subjective symptoms, the situation is usually managed with regular check-ups without special treatment. If the hypertrophy is more significant and accompanied by nasal congestion, sleep disturbances, snoring, or a feeling of ear blockage, treatment typically involves the use of oral medications and nasal sprays. Generally, a standard treatment lasts about two weeks, after which the effectiveness should be reassessed. If there is no effectiveness, adenoidectomy, a relatively routine surgery, may need to be considered. However, most patients are very effectively treated with conservative management.

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 Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
44sec home-news-image

Does adenoid hypertrophy require surgery?

The adenoids are tissue organs located in our nasopharynx. Whether we need surgery after adenoid hypertrophy depends on two circumstances. The first is the degree of hypertrophy; if the adenoids are significantly enlarged, we might consider surgery. However, merely having enlarged adenoids is not enough; we need to see if the hypertrophy blocks the nasal cavity, obstructs our Eustachian tube, leads to adenoid facies, etc. If there are symptoms and secondary diseases, such hypertrophied adenoids, also known as adenoid hypertrophy, will necessitate surgery. If the adenoid hypertrophy is mild and presents no symptoms, we can temporarily observe without needing surgical intervention.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lian Wen Xi
Pediatrics
57sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy in children?

Children's adenoid hypertrophy has a variety of symptoms, mainly including the following aspects. First: It may lead to nasal congestion, accompanied by runny nose and nasal speech due to obstructive nasal sounds and other clinical manifestations. Second: It may cause the child to develop secretory otitis media or purulent otitis media, resulting in ear pain and hearing loss among other clinical manifestations. Third: Due to the long-term hypertrophy of adenoid tissue affecting ventilation, it may cause children to breathe through the mouth. Prolonged mouth breathing may result in a condition known as adenoid facies. Fourth: Some systemic symptoms may occur, such as slowed growth and development, cognitive impairments, irritability, drowsiness, teeth grinding, easy awakening, lack of concentration, and bedwetting among other symptoms.