This study aims to investigate the association between adenoid hypertrophy and facial development. A total of 388 children aged 1-13 years old who had undergone head MRI in Foshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital were collected, including 196 hypertrophic cases and 192 normal cases. The maxillofacial soft tissue indicators were measured and compared. The A/N ratio and adenoid thickness consistently increased with age in the hypertrophic group and the A/N ratio reached a maximum value three years earlier than the normal group. The pharyngeal airway space, vallecula of epiglottis to anterior plane distance of the third/fourth cervical vertebrae, angle of convexity, total angle of convexity, and the nasolabial angle in the hypertrophy group were smaller than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The thickness of adenoids, palate height, palate length, and tongue length in the hypertrophy group exceeded that of the control group (p < 0.05). To conclude, adenoid hypertrophy was associated with craniofacial features such as a convex facial profile, a narrowed nasopharyngeal airway, an elongated and heightened palate, a lengthened tongue or a lower tongue position. These findings emphasize the importance of early intervention for children with adenoid hypertrophy to mitigate potential adverse effects on maxillofacial development.
Keywords: MRI; adenoid hypertrophy; airway; maxillofacial development; palate.