The role of rhinomanometry after nasal decongestant test in the assessment of adenoid hypertrophy in children

Abstract

IntroductionNasal respiratory obstruction is a very common otolaryngologic problem, often caused by adenoid hypertrophy (AH). Nasal fiberoptic endoscopy (NFE) represents the gold standard method to diagnose AH. Rhinomanometry represents a valid diagnostic support. ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to analyze the diagnostic value of rhinomanometry after nasal decongestant (ND) test for the evaluation of adenoid hypertrophy in children. Materials and methodsSeventy-one of 97 collaborative children, aged 6–12 years, affected by upper airways obstructive symptoms and diagnosed as ‘chronic oral breathers’ by a standardized questionnaire were included in the study. The first evaluation included a complete physical examination, anterior rhinoscopy and anterior active rhinomanometry. Patients with a positive rhinomanometry underwent a second rhinomanometry after the administration of the nasal decongestant (ND) xylometazoline. All children were evaluated using nasal fiberoptic endoscopy (NFE). ResultsAt rhinomanometry a normal nasal airflow was found in 19 (26.8%) of children while nasal obstruction was underlined in 52 (73.2%). These patients were tested also with rhinomanometry after ND which confirmed the presence of nasal obstruction in 29 (55.7%) of patients. All patients included in the study underwent a NFE: 34 (47.8%) of them presented severe AH with an occlusion >75% of the choanal opening (grade≥3) and 37 (52.2%) presented no or a mild form of AH (grade<3). When compared to NFE, rhinomanometry test after ND had 82.7% sensitivity and 82.6% specificity. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 85.7% and 79.2%, respectively. Two receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were derived using data related to rhinomanometry vs NFE, and to rhinomanometry after ND vs NFE. ConclusionsRhinomanometry after ND, compared to rhinomanometry, is more specific and useful to evaluate nasal obstruction due to AH in children, and it may be helpful to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures in children with temporary nasal obstruction.