Question

My child is 4 and a half years old. They breathe normally during the day but snore at night and sometimes have difficulty breathing. The neighbor suspects adenoid hypertrophy. How can it be checked?

Answer

The examination of adenoid hypertrophy includes the following methods:

  1. Facial Examination: The child may breathe through the mouth, and sometimes a “adenoid face” can be observed.
  2. Pharyngoscopy: The hard palate may appear higher and narrower, accompanied by hypertrophied tonsils.
  3. Nasal Endoscopy: After relaxing the nasal mucosa, inspection may reveal red swellings in the nasopharynx.
  4. Fiberoptic Nasopharyngoscopy: At the top and posterior wall of the nasopharynx, there may be lobulated lymphatic tissue with longitudinal fissures, resembling half of a peeled tangerine.
  5. Palpation: A soft lump can be felt at the top and posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
  6. Imaging Examination: An X-ray lateral view of the nasopharynx can help with diagnosis. These are common examinations for adenoid hypertrophy. Early examination and treatment of adenoid hypertrophy are crucial to prevent complications. It is recommended to visit a specialized hospital for examination early on and consider minimally invasive surgery for treatment, which is currently the best technique for treating adenoid hypertrophy.