Pediatric Adenoid Tonsillar Hypertrophy

  • Etiology: Lymphatic tissue becomes inflammed or infected by bacteria
  • Imaging: Enlargement of superoposterior wall of nasopharynx
  • DDX:
  • Complications: Palatine and adenoid tonsil enlargement are most common cause of chronic upper airway obstruction
  • Treatment:
  • Clinical: Adenoid tonsils grow from 6 months – 6 years and then involute

Radiology Cases of Adenoid Tonsillar Hypertrophy

Radiograph of adenoid tonsil hypertrophy and palatine tonsil hypertrophy
Lateral radiographs of the airway shows enlargement of the adenoid tonsils and the palatine tonsils.
CT of pediatric adenoid tonsil hypertrophy
Sagittal CT with contrast of the neck (above) shows enlargement of the superoposterior wall of nasopharynx due to enlargement of the bilateral adenoid tonsils on the axial CT (below).