Can adenoid hypertrophy be seen with the naked eye?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 19, 2025
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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.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What is adenoid hypertrophy in children?

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.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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.)

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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 Dong Xian Yan
Pediatrics
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Does a baby snoring mean that the adenoids are enlarged?

Baby snoring cannot necessarily be attributed to enlarged adenoids; it might also be due to a cold, nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils, or the position of the tongue falling back while sleeping. Therefore, the specific cause of a baby's snoring needs to be determined by a professional physician's examination, and appropriate treatment should be given based on the specific cause. If the snoring is due to enlarged adenoids or tonsils, a professional evaluation may be required to decide whether surgery is necessary to alleviate the symptoms of snoring. If the cause is nasal congestion, oral antihistamines or local nasal sprays can be used to relieve the symptoms of snoring. (If medication is required, please proceed under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can adenoid hypertrophy cause a fever?

Adenoid hypertrophy is a common condition in children and is an overgrowth of normally occurring tissue. It does not cause fever on its own. However, diseases secondary to adenoid hypertrophy, such as sinusitis and otitis media, might lead to fever. During the acute infection phase of hypertrophied adenoids, referred to as acute adenoiditis, fever can occur. Therefore, clinically, it is essential to distinguish between different stages and conditions of adenoid hypertrophy to manage it correctly. Simply put, adenoid hypertrophy does not cause fever by itself.