Adenoid hypertrophy

Alternative names:

enlarged adenoids

Symptoms:

• mouth breathing (mostly at night)
  • dry mouth
  • cracked lips

• mouth open during day (more severe obstruction)
• bad breath
• persistent runny nose or nasal congestion
• frequent ear infections (otitis media)
• snoring
• restlessness while sleeping
• intermittent sleep apnea

Signs and tests:

Physical examination of the throat confirms that the tonsillar tissue is enlarged. The adenoids cannot be visualized by looking in the mouth directly but can be seen with a special mirror looking into the nasopharynx.

• X-ray, side view of the throat demonstrates hypertrophy of the adenoids.
• sleep apnea studies (severe cases only)