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. 2014 Mar-Apr;47(2):79-83.
doi: 10.1590/S0100-39842014000200008.

Radiographic adenoid evaluation: proposal of an objective parameter

Murilo Fernando Neuppmann Feres  1 , Juliana Sato Hermann  2 , Ana Carolina Sallum  3 , Shirley Shizue Nagata Pignatari  4
Affiliations

Radiographic adenoid evaluation: proposal of an objective parameter

Murilo Fernando Neuppmann Feres et al. Radiol Bras. 2014 Mar-Apr.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate current radiographic parameters designed to investigate adenoid hypertrophy and nasopharyngeal obstruction, and to present an alternative radiographic assessment method.

Materials and methods: In order to do so, children (4 to14 years old) who presented with nasal obstruction or oral breathing complaints were submitted to cavum radiographic examination. One hundred and twenty records were evaluated according to quantitative radiographic parameters, and data were correlated with a gold-standard videonasopharyngoscopic study, in relation to the percentage of choanal obstruction. Subsequently, a regression analysis was performed in order to create an original model so the percentage of the choanal obstruction could be predicted.

Results: The quantitative parameters demonstrated moderate, if not weak correlation with the real percentage of choanal obstruction. The regression model (110.119*A/N) demonstrated a satisfactory ability to "predict" the actual percentage of choanal obstruction.

Conclusion: Since current adenoid quantitative radiographic parameters present limitations, the model presented by the present study might be considered as an alternative assessment method in cases where videonasopharyngoscopic evaluation is unavailable.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar parâmetros radiográficos atuais destinados à verificação da adenoide e obstrução nasofaríngea e apresentar um método de avaliação alternativo.

Materiais e métodos: Crianças (4 a 14 anos) que apresentavam queixas de obstrução nasal e/ou respiração oral foram submetidas ao exame radiográfico de cavum faríngeo. Cento e vinte registros foram avaliados por parâmetros radiográficos quantitativos, e estes dados foram correlacionados ao exame de videonasofaringoscopia, aqui considerado como padrão ouro, em relação à porcentagem de obstrução coanal. Posteriormente, uma análise de regressão foi realizada com os mesmos parâmetros quantitativos, de modo que um modelo original fosse criado com o objetivo de predição do percentual de obstrução coanal.

Resultados: Os parâmetros quantitativos atuais demonstraram correlações moderadas, quando não fracas, ao percentual de obstrução. O modelo de regressão desenvolvido (110.119*A/N) demonstrou capacidade satisfatória de "prever" o real percentual de obstrução adenóidea.

Conclusão: Uma vez que os parâmetros radiográficos atuais apresentam limitações, o modelo original aqui apresentado deve ser considerado como um método de avaliação adenóidea alternativo, a ser utilizado quando a videonasofaringoscopia estiver indisponível.

Keywords: Adenoids; Diagnosis; Mouth breathing; Radiography.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Quantitative radiographic parameters illustration. A: NpT, nasopharyngeal tonsil; Np, nasopharynx. B: A, adenoid; N, nasopharyngeal space. C: AA, antroadenoid; PA, palatal airway. D: AC, air column; SP, soft palate.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Measured choanal obstruction. Ad, adenoid area; Cho, choanal area.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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