THE EFFICACY OF INTRANASAL CORTICOSTEROID THERAPY ON THE ADENOID HYPERTROPHY

Background Adenoid hypertrophy is associated with high morbidity rate in children. Although surgical treatment is indicated in severe cases, however there are evidences that some medical treatments are effective in improving symptoms and signs of patients with adenoid hypertrophy. Objectives To evaluate the effect of intranasal corticosteroid in improving the symptoms and signs that caused by adenoid hypertrophy. Patients and Methods One hundred and thirteen patients with symptoms and signs of adenoid hypertrophy were included in this study with an age range from 3-12 years, using intranasal corticosteroid (Betamethasone 0.1% nasal drops) for of 8 weeks were evaluated pre and post treatment depending on clinical presentation and lateral neck radiography. Results Clinical features of adenoid hypertrophy significantly less frequent after using intranasal corticosteroid. P value <0.05 was significant for nasal obstruction, snoring, mouth breathing, sleep disturbance, nasal discharge and postnasal drip while not significant >0.05 % for hyponasal speech. The radiographic findings revealed that adenoid size after treatment with intranasal corticosteroid drop was significantly decreased and airway diameter was significantly more than before treatment. Conclusion According to our study, intranasal Betamethasone improved the symptoms and sings of adenoid hypertrophy and can be considered an alternative effective non-surgical treatment for mild and moderate adenoid hypertrophy and some symptomatic relieve of severe adenoid hypertrophy.