The prevalence of adenoid hypertrophy in adults in a rural area of Turkey.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of adenoid hypertrophy in adults in Yozgat city of Turkey.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Between May 2010 and March 2012, radiologic data including all paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) findings for 525 patients (279 males, 246 females; mean age 34.7±1.4 years; range 18 to 71 years) who treated in Ear Nose and Throat Department of Bozok University Medical Faculty were retrospectively analyzed. All CT scans were grouped according to the presence of adenoid hypertrophy. Adenoid tissue was investigated based on axial, coronal and sagittal planes in all images. Adenoid tissue was classified according to the narrowing rate of the nasopharyngeal air column on sagittal plane; grade 1: <25%, grade 2: 25-50%, grade 3: >50%.

RESULTS

The prevalence of adenoid hypertrophy was 26.28%. Of these patients, 77 patients (40 males, 37 females) were grade 1, 43 (24 males, 19 females) were grade 2, and 19 (8 males, 10 females) were grade 3. There was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence of adenoid hypertrophy and gender (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Although adenoidal tissue normally undergoes involution during late childhood period, it may persist into adult life and present as a cause of nasal obstruction as seen in our cases. In adults, it may be overlooked because of incomplete nasopharyngeal examination or due to overshadowing by accompanying rhinological disorders.