What tests are needed for adenoid hypertrophy?

Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 17, 2024
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The adenoids are located at the back end of the nasal cavity in the nasopharyngeal area, so the examination needed for adenoid hypertrophy is generally the electronic nasopharyngoscopy. Electronic nasopharyngoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows direct visual observation of the enlarged adenoids and the blockage of the posterior nasal apertures. Modern electronic nasopharyngoscopes are very thin; they can be inserted through the nostrils directly into the nasopharynx, providing a clear view of the adenoids with minimal discomfort and no radiation exposure, making it the preferred method. Another test that can be performed is a lateral X-ray of the nasopharynx. This examination has been a classic approach and is available in many township and county hospitals. It can accurately display the condition of adenoid hypertrophy and any airway obstruction. However, the only drawback is that it involves some level of radiation exposure.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
38sec home-news-image

Can you drink milk with enlarged adenoids?

Patients with adenoid hypertrophy can consume milk. The adenoids, also known as the pharyngeal tonsils, are a common ENT disorder, occurring mostly in children. The adenoid tissues become hyperplastic and active, blocking the posterior nasal passages and causing symptoms such as snoring during nighttime sleep, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sinusitis. When adenoid hypertrophy occurs, surgery is primarily used for treatment. In terms of diet, patients can consume milk and eggs, but should avoid cold and spicy foods to prevent exacerbating the swelling and congestion of the adenoids.

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home-news-image
Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
1min home-news-image

What tests are needed for adenoid hypertrophy?

The adenoids are located at the back end of the nasal cavity in the nasopharyngeal area, so the examination needed for adenoid hypertrophy is generally the electronic nasopharyngoscopy. Electronic nasopharyngoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows direct visual observation of the enlarged adenoids and the blockage of the posterior nasal apertures. Modern electronic nasopharyngoscopes are very thin; they can be inserted through the nostrils directly into the nasopharynx, providing a clear view of the adenoids with minimal discomfort and no radiation exposure, making it the preferred method. Another test that can be performed is a lateral X-ray of the nasopharynx. This examination has been a classic approach and is available in many township and county hospitals. It can accurately display the condition of adenoid hypertrophy and any airway obstruction. However, the only drawback is that it involves some level of radiation exposure.

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Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
50sec home-news-image

How to treat adenoid hypertrophy?

Adenoid hypertrophy mainly occurs in infants and children. It is a congenital disease, meaning that most children are born with varying degrees of adenoid hypertrophy. However, in many children, the adenoids begin to shrink after six months and generally do not cause symptoms. If the adenoids are enlarged, it can lead to the child breathing through their mouth, snoring, and gasping, which may cause facial changes, brain hypoxia, and delayed brain development. In such cases, adenoidectomy might be considered, generally performed under general anesthesia. However, some children with adenoid hypertrophy also have enlarged tonsils, so both surgeries are often performed together. Otherwise, if only the adenoid hypertrophy is treated without addressing enlarged tonsils, problems such as mouth breathing and snoring may not improve.

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

Can adenoid hypertrophy be treated with massage?

Patients with adenoid hypertrophy generally do not see significant therapeutic effects from massage therapy. Adenoid hypertrophy is due to the proliferation of lymphoid tissue at the posterior nasopharyngeal wall, which leads to nasal congestion and sleep apnea at night. When sleep apnea occurs, it is first necessary to complete sleep monitoring and blood oxygen saturation monitoring and other relevant tests to make a clear diagnosis of the patient's condition. For patients with adenoid hypertrophy occupying more than two-thirds of the posterior nasal aperture, plasma surgery is usually required to ablate the hypertrophied adenoid tissue and restore normal nasal ventilation function, thereby alleviating the patient’s sleep apnea and hypoventilation syndrome.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
1min 6sec home-news-image

Can you eat eggs with enlarged adenoids?

Patients with adenoid hypertrophy can eat eggs. Adenoid hypertrophy is a common and frequent disease in otorhinolaryngology, primarily occurring in infants and young children, especially those aged 5-7 years. Due to the significant proliferation of lymphatic tissue, it can cause an enlargement of the lymphatic tissue on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx, thereby blocking the posterior nasal passages. This leads to symptoms such as snoring, breath-holding, sleep apnea, and hypoxia during nighttime in patients. Therefore, for patients with adenoid hypertrophy, after confirmation through exams such as electronic nasopharyngoscopy and lateral nasopharyngeal radiography, surgery is usually required to remove the enlarged adenoid tissue. In some cases, the removal of the tonsils is also necessary in order to restore ventilation in the nasopharynx and oral cavity, improving symptoms like nighttime snoring and breath-holding in patients.