Radiographic adenoid evaluation: proposal of an objective parameter.
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.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Professor, Division of Preventive and Interceptive Orthodontics, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil.
Murilo Fernando Neuppmann
MF
Feres
Master, Fellow PhD degree of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Nerck Surgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Juliana Sato
JS
Hermann
Master, Private Practice in São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Ana Carolina
AC
Sallum
PhD, Professor, Division of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Shirley Shizue Nagata
SS
Pignatari
Adenoids; Diagnosis; Mouth breathing; Radiography