Can nasal endoscopy be used to predict residual symptoms after adenoidectomy for nasal obstruction?

BACKGROUND: the efficacy of adenoidectomy in relieving nasal symptoms has been questioned. Although enlarged adenoids are often blamed for nasal obstruction, other causes can be missed if examination is not thorough. We suggest that endoscopy at the time of adenoidectomy may be useful to confirm large adenoids and exclude other causes, and the findings may help predict residual symptoms 2 years after adenoidectomy.

METHOD: a prospective study of a consecutive series of children undergoing adenoidectomy for nasal obstruction was performed. All underwent endoscopy with a 4-mm rigid endoscope without decongestants under GA immediately prior to adenoidectomy. Two years later a postal symptom questionnaire was sent, with telephone follow up for non-responders. The findings on endoscopy were compared with residual symptoms at 2 years.

RESULTS: Forty-eight children aged 2-9 (mean 4) years were enrolled, 26 of them female. At 2 years follow up, data were available for 34 children (71%). Complete obstruction of the posterior choanae of the nose by adenoids was seen in 21 (62%). Additional findings (e.g. septal deviation, hypertrophic mucosa on the turbinates) were present in 22 (65%). Of them 9 (26%) had residual nasal symptoms. Of the children with less than occlusive adenoids, six (50%) out of 12 had residual symptoms, compared with three (14%) out of 21 with occlusive adenoids (chi(2)=4.91, P<0.05). Although residual symptoms were more common in those with additional findings on the original endoscopy (32 vs. 17%), this did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS: residual nasal symptoms are common when children are followed up in the medium term. The findings on endoscopy may predict the success of adenoidectomy in relieving the symptoms, and may help to guide further treatment.