Enlarged Adenoids May Cause Chronic Sinus and Middle Ear Infections In Children!

Adenoid Hypertrophy, Chronic Sinus and Ear Infections in Children

Adenoid Hypertrophy, Chronic Sinus and Ear Infections in Children

Enlarged adenoids, especially seen in children with frequent respiratory infections, are a major problem that needs to be taken seriously. Because adenoid hypertrophy, nasal congestion, growth retardation and sleep disorders can be the basis for many diseases.

Whats is the adenoid?

Adenoid located in the back of the nasal cavity is actually one of the structures responsible for defending the body against infections. Naturally, all children. It usually starts to shrink after the age of 5 and when it reaches puberty, it often disappears. However, in case of any infection, inflammation and reaction of the adenoid tissue swelling of the nasopharynx area of the nose closes the area and causes nasal congestion. Thus, it causes a series of health problems that deteriorate the quality of life of children.

Symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy

Nasal congestion, mouth open sleep, mouth breathing, nasal talk, snoring, wheezing, dry mouth, persistent nasal discharge is the most important symptoms of inflammation and growth of the adenoid tissue. However, with adenoid hypertrophy, it can cause problems affecting the quality of life in children such as loss of appetite, sleep disorders, short-term breathing stop in sleep, waking up from sleep, frequent recurrent sinusitis and middle ear inflammation. With the accumulation of fluid in the ear, hearing loss and chronic tympanic membrane damage, growth and developmental retardation or developmental disorders in the face bones can be seen more serious consequences.

One of the most important factors is the smoking of parents!

It is not possible to give a certain percentage for the incidence of adenoid size. The presence of areas where the child may be in close contact with infected individuals, such as parents' smoking and nursery environments, or inadequate or untreated upper respiratory infections are among the most important factors affecting the growth of nasal flesh. Genetic causes are an additional factor in addition to external environmental conditions.

First, medical treatment is applied!

The reaction of tonsils during upper respiratory tract infections causes the adenoid to increase in size and inflammation. In this case, it is primarily aimed to reduce the size by suppressing infection with medical treatment. In this way, the infection can be suppressed with the intervention and the size can be reduced. Thus, the symptoms of the child disappear in a short time.

The surgery should not be postponed too!

However, especially in children who have frequent upper respiratory tract infections, despite the medical treatment, the nasal flesh does not shrink and the problems continue. For this reason, especially if the children have frequent infections, sleep disorders and middle ear diseases are experienced, accompanied by developmental retardation, surgical treatment may be on the agenda. Persistently attempting to correct adenoid hypertrophy with medical treatment is not a correct approach. It cannot solve this problem, and the side effects of long-term medication may cause a separate clinical problem. Therefore, it is important to plan nasal surgery without delay. Adenoidectomy operation can be planned in the 1-3 age group, especially if the children over 3 years of age are seen as the ideal age group for surgery, especially if they cause serious problems such as ear problems, growth retardation and breathing stops during sleep.

When adenoidectomy alone is performed, patients may be discharged on the same day

Adenoidectomy is performed under general anesthesia in order to increase the general health and quality of life of children and is completed in a very short time. In addition to adenoidectomy, the operation time can be longer than half an hour when performed with tonsillectomy and ear ventilation tube (you can look this link >> Three common operations in children: tonsil removal operation, adenoid removal surgery, tympanostomy tube placement). Since the operation will be performed through the mouth, there are no incision marks and children can be discharged even on the same day. With a two to three day light diet, children's daily activities are not restricted. You can find adenoidectomy surgery video below.

The quality of life of children increases after adenoidectomy!

After adenoidectomy, children rarely feel sore throat for 2 - 3 hours, return to normal life with a light diet on day 3 or 4 and begin to breathe more easily. Their appetite improves, and with the elimination of sleep problems, the restlessness, agitation, or concentration difficulties at school disappear during the day. The frequency and severity of future upper respiratory tract infections decreases after adenoid removal surgery.

Sinusitis and enlarged adenoids in children 

If the sinusitis in children is acute, that is sudden onset, antibiotics, nasal openers and sprays and painkillers, antipyretic treatments can be done.

If sinusitis attacks have become chronic, the underlying causes are; Adenoid hypertrophy, especially allergies, such as reflux, such as treatments may be needed for these reasons. Chronic sinusitis due to adenoid hypertrophy may occur in children. In this case, surgery is recommended. The face structure of the child with nasal flesh can be easily understood. His jaw is small and backward. Besides, it's an appetite. He has difficulty running, playing ball. Fails in courses.

Chronic middle ear infection - Ear ventilation tube (T tube)

From the above photographs, a patient with adenoid hypertrophy and recurrent otitis media on the left side had retracted eardrum and a redness due to acute otitis media; the photo on the right shows the ear ventilation tube placed on the eardrum.

Murat Enoz, MD, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgeon - ENT Doctor in Istanbul

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