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 Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Is adenoid hypertrophy related to rhinitis?

The adenoids are located at the rear end of the nasal cavity, specifically in the nasopharynx. When the adenoids become enlarged, they can affect the ventilation and drainage functions of the nasal cavity. Therefore, enlarged adenoids can cause rhinitis, leading to symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, and snoring during sleep; these impact the nasal ventilation, which are the most common symptoms. The rationale is that when the adenoids are enlarged, the nasal mucus cannot be normally drained through the nasal cavity's drainage function. As a result, children may exhibit symptoms of excessive nasal discharge and nasal congestion, and difficulty breathing through the nose. Additionally, the rhinitis caused by the enlarged adenoids leads to nasal congestion, which then manifests as the child snoring and breathing through the mouth during sleep. Over time, this can lead to a condition known as "adenoid facies."

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken for adenoid hypertrophy?

Most glandular hypertrophy does not require antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, as it is a common condition or physiological manifestation in children. Glandular hypertrophy is the proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharyngeal area, causing partial obstruction of the posterior nasal aperture. Initially, clinical symptoms should be assessed. If there is only simple hypertrophy without any discomfort, it can be observed without treatment. However, if glandular hypertrophy is accompanied by clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, snoring during sleep, and mouth breathing, the use of oral medications and nasal sprays should be considered, but generally, anti-inflammatory drugs are not needed. If there is an acute inflammatory response in the glands, the use of antibiotics along with regular follow-ups and nasal cavity cleaning should be considered. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medication should only be taken under the guidance of a professional medical doctor, and blind medication should be avoided.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Does adenoid hypertrophy require surgery?

The adenoids are tissue organs located in our nasopharynx. Whether we need surgery after adenoid hypertrophy depends on two circumstances. The first is the degree of hypertrophy; if the adenoids are significantly enlarged, we might consider surgery. However, merely having enlarged adenoids is not enough; we need to see if the hypertrophy blocks the nasal cavity, obstructs our Eustachian tube, leads to adenoid facies, etc. If there are symptoms and secondary diseases, such hypertrophied adenoids, also known as adenoid hypertrophy, will necessitate surgery. If the adenoid hypertrophy is mild and presents no symptoms, we can temporarily observe without needing surgical intervention.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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What tests are needed for adenoid hypertrophy?

The adenoids are located at the back end of the nasal cavity in the nasopharyngeal area, so the examination needed for adenoid hypertrophy is generally the electronic nasopharyngoscopy. Electronic nasopharyngoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows direct visual observation of the enlarged adenoids and the blockage of the posterior nasal apertures. Modern electronic nasopharyngoscopes are very thin; they can be inserted through the nostrils directly into the nasopharynx, providing a clear view of the adenoids with minimal discomfort and no radiation exposure, making it the preferred method. Another test that can be performed is a lateral X-ray of the nasopharynx. This examination has been a classic approach and is available in many township and county hospitals. It can accurately display the condition of adenoid hypertrophy and any airway obstruction. However, the only drawback is that it involves some level of radiation exposure.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Does adenoid hypertrophy have a strange smell?

Adenoid hypertrophy is a common ENT disease, mostly seen in infants and young children aged 5 to 7 years. Before surgery for adenoid hypertrophy, the blockage of the posterior nasal aperture can cause edema, inflammation, and purulent secretions in the sinus and nasal mucosa, leading to an unpleasant odor in the nasal cavity. Patients with adenoid hypertrophy usually need to undergo adenoidectomy using a plasma knife. After the surgery, local burns can cause necrosis of the mucosa, resulting in bad odors in both the nasal and oral cavities. Therefore, for patients with adenoid hypertrophy, the main approach is to maintain oral hygiene, which can help reduce the unpleasant nasal odors.