Successful Antiviral Treatment for Chronic Adenoiditis Caused by Herpes Virus in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Patient: Female, 5-year-old Final Diagnosis: Chronic adenoiditis Symptoms: Hearing impairment • sleep disturbance • snoring Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Otolaryngology Objective: Background: Case Report: Conclusions: Unknown etiology The adenoids are lymphatic tissue located in the nasopharynx and play a role in upper-airway immunity. Inflammation of the adenoids is called adenoiditis, which can cause a variety of symptoms. This is a common condition and is due to acute viral or bacterial infection. Most patients experience mild symptoms of upper-re-spiratory tract infection with a self-limiting course. A 5-year-old female patient was brought into the clinic by her parents with concerns regarding hearing and sleep. Clinical assessment was consistent with persistent otitis media with effusion and sleep-disordered breath-ing. She was scheduled for surgery, including nasendoscopy, adenoidectomy, and bilateral grommet insertion. During surgery, direct visualization of the postnasal space showed complete obstruction by hypertrophic, in-flamed adenoids covered in a thick, white film. A biopsy was taken, which detected herpes virus cytopathic ef-fect. A diagnostic workup excluded a neoplastic process and other bacterial or fungal infections. A trial of oral antiviral medication was successful and follow-up nasendoscopy showed resolution of adenoid hypertrophy. Direct visualization of the postnasal space, with a transoral mirror or 120-degree endoscope, prior to adenoid-ectomy can aid diagnosis. Adenoiditis may be caused by a wide range of organisms, including herpes virus. Active mucopurulent discharge should raise concern for infection by bacteria, fungi, or virus. Previous research on viral infection of the adenoids have been in asymptomatic patients with presumed latent infection and un-dergoing elective adenoidectomy. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to report on successful treatment with antiviral medication alone.