Correlation between Clinical and Radiological Findings in Pediatric Patients with Adenoid Hypertrophy attending Otorhinolaryngology services at Muhimbili National Hospital

Abstract

Background The significance of radiological assessment in the treatment plan of patients with adenoid hypertrophy cannot be undermined. This study evaluated the correlation between clinical symptoms and radiological findings in the clinical assessment of patients with adenoid hypertrophy. Objective: The study aimed to determine the correlation between clinical and radiological findings in pediatric patients with adenoid hypertrophy. Methodology: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital by recruiting 201 children, aged between 1 to 7 years from November 2020 to May 2021. with signs and symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy. Clinical assessment was performed through structured questionnaires prepared for primary caregivers, which were filled by the investigator. Radiographic findings were obtained through lateral nasopharyngeal radiographs. This data was analyzed using Statistical Package for social sciences version 24, results presented in frequency, tables and figures. Clinical scores were calculated with a P-value <0.05 being considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 201 children were involved in this study, their mean and median age was 4 years, age ranged from 1 to 7 years. Most of the children 126(62.7%) were in the age group 3-4 years followed by 5-7 years 42(20.9%). Majority 117(58.2%) were male, and the prevalence of children with adenoid hypertrophy was 140(69.7%). Also snoring 131(65.2%) was the most common clinical presentation. On the other hand, clinical score of severe adenoid hypertrophy and radiological finding of grade IV adenoid hypertrophy were recorded as the highest findings in all age groups. A strong positive correlation between clinical score and radiological findings was found with Spearman‘s rank correlation, rs=0.771.Conclusion and recommendation The present study has demonstrated that lateral radiograph of the nasopharynx is sensitive in evaluating children suspected to have adenoid hypertrophy in accordance with their clinical symptoms and thus provides an objective measure of the pathology.