Efficacy of Intranasal Corticosteroids in Improving Nasal Airway Obstruction in Children with Symptomatic Adenoidal Hypertrophy A Meta-Analysis and a Systematic Review

Abstract

The term adenoids describes lymphoid tissue on the superior and posterior walls of the nasopharynx, and their hypertrophy is a common condition of childhood. When enlarged, adenoids can obstruct the nasopharyngeal airway and cause mouth-breathing, hyponasal voice, and snoring. In severe cases, obstructive sleep apnea, growth failure and craniofacial malformations may result. Traditionally, adenoidal hypertrophy and its related symptoms are treated by adenoidectomy, though various conservative treatments are under investigation. Recently, the potential role of corticosteroids, especially the topical nasal spray effects has been reported to reduce the adenoids size and improve the associated symptoms.