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Role of adenoids and adenoiditis in children with allergy and otitis media

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Abstract

Adenoids and/or tonsil inflammation with concomitant obstructive hypertrophy is one of the oldest and most common pediatric problems. Adenoids are a component of Waldeyer’s ring and because of their anatomic position can be relevant in the pathogenesis of otitis media when they are inflamed and/or enlarged. Adenoid pads can create mechanical eustachian tube obstruction. Therefore, in some cases, adenoidectomy may have a role in the clinical management of otitis media with effusion. However, eustachian tube dysfunction related to the adenoids may also have an allergy-related functional component. Allergic inflammation has been described for middle ear effusion, and some studies have reported that mast cells increase and allergic mediators release in adenoids as well. Nasal endoscopy has a key role in confirming a diagnosis of adenoid hypertrophy and/or adenoiditis and in detecting an association between adenoid inflammation/infection and otitis media with effusion, especially during infancy and early childhood.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Sciences, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo-University of Pavia, P.le Golgi, 2-27100, Pavia, Italy

    Gian Luigi Marseglia

Authors
  1. Gian Luigi Marseglia
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  2. Dimitri Poddighe
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  3. Davide Caimmi
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  4. Alessia Marseglia
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  5. Silvia Caimmi
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  6. Giorgio Ciprandi
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  7. Catherine Klersy
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  8. Fabio Pagella
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  9. Anna Maria Castellazzi
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Correspondence to Gian Luigi Marseglia.

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Marseglia, G.L., Poddighe, D., Caimmi, D. et al. Role of adenoids and adenoiditis in children with allergy and otitis media. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 9, 460–464 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-009-0068-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-009-0068-4

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