Anatomic correlates of normal and diseased adenoids in children

Abstract

In order to better understand the pathogenesis and sequelae of obstructive adenoid hyperplasia in children, the anatomic relationships of the adenoids to the hard and soft palates, oropharynx, and nasopharynx were studied in vivo in 94 children. Direct, intraoperative palatal, nasopharyngeal, and oropharyngeal measurements were performed in 19 children with normal, nondiseased adenoids (controls [C]) and compared to 75 children undergoing adenoidectomy for obstructive adenoid hyperplasia (OAH) (n=44) or chronic adenoid infection (CAI) (n=31). As expected, the weight and volume of the adenoids removed were significantly greater in the OAH vs. CAI group (P