Choroidal thickness evaluation in paediatric patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate choroidal thickness using enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography in paediatric patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy, with comparison to healthy children, three months after adenotonsillectomy.

METHODS

The patients were assigned to three groups: an adenotonsillar hypertrophy group, an adenotonsillectomy group and a healthy control group. In all groups, subfoveal, temporal and nasal choroidal thickness measurements were taken.

RESULTS

In the subfoveal, temporal and nasal regions, choroidal tissue was found to be significantly thinner in adenotonsillar hypertrophy children than healthy children (p = 0.012, p = 0.027 and p = 0.020). The subfoveal and temporal choroidal thickness measurements of adenotonsillar hypertrophy group cases were significantly decreased compared to those in the adenotonsillectomy group (p = 0.038 and p = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

There was a significant association between decreased choroidal thickness and adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy may play an important role in decreased choroidal thickness.