Objectives: To determine the reliability of ultrasound in the diagnosis of adenoid hypertrophy in children.
Methods: The subjects were divided into three groups: Group A: Pre-experiment group: 30 children who were hospitalized for adenoidal hypertrophy were selected, and preoperative ultrasound was used to measure adenoid thickness. Their re-confirmed Adenoid ultrasound measurement thickness was obtained during surgery under the guidance of metal instruments; Group B: Ultrasound screening group: 1898 children aged 3-12 y were selected, and their adenoids were examined by ultrasonography to observe the size, shape, echo and blood flow of adenoids and the thickness of adenoids; Group C: Surgical resection group: 133 hospitalized patients were selected, and their adenoid ultrasound measurement thickness (AUT), the adenoid-nasopharynx (A/N) ratio was calculated based on nasopharyngeal lateral radiographs and obstruction ratio was obtained in electronic nasopharyngoscopy [extent of adenoid-posterior nostril occlusion (EANC)] were compared.
Results: In Group A, there was no statistical difference in the measurements of the adenoids between the preoperative ultrasound and the ultrasound measurements under the guidance of intraoperative metal instruments (P > 0.05). In Group B, the adenoids of 1898 children aged 3-12 y were measured and were found thickest at 6 y, with an average of 5.035 ± 0.0609 mm. There was no statistical difference in adenoid thickness between boys and girls (P > 0.05). In Group C, there was a linear correlation between AUT and A/N ratio (r = 0.999, P = 0.01) and between AUT and EANC (r = 0.950, P = 0.000).
Conclusions: In children between 3 and 12 y of age, AUT greater than 6 mm may be considered for surgical resection of adenoid hypertrophy.
Keywords: Adenoid hypertrophy; Adenoid-nasopharynx (A/N) ratio; Electronic nasopharyngoscopy; Ultrasonography.