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Reversible cardio-pulmonary changes due to adeno-tonsilar hypertrophy
S Ramakrishna1, V S Ingle, S Patel
1Department of ENT, Ibri Regional Referral Hospital, P.B. No. 46, P.C. 516, Sultanate of Oman, Oman.
Insights
Enlarged adenoids and tonsils can cause upper airway obstruction and sleep apnea in young children. Surgical removal of these tissues successfully treated cardio-pulmonary changes in two infants.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy is a common ENT condition.
- It is increasingly recognized as a significant cause of pediatric sleep apnea syndrome.
- Previous reports link it to pulmonary hypertension and corpulmonale.
Observation:
- Two children under 2 years old presented with symptoms suggestive of upper airway obstruction.
- These children exhibited significant cardio-pulmonary changes.
- The condition was secondary to chronic adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy.
Findings:
- Cardio-pulmonary changes in infants can be secondary to adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy.
- Surgical removal (adeno-tonsillectomy) led to successful treatment of these changes.
- Early intervention is crucial for managing these pediatric cases.
Implications:
- Adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy should be considered in infants with unexplained cardio-pulmonary issues.
- Prompt surgical intervention can reverse severe complications.
- This highlights the importance of addressing airway obstruction in early childhood development.
Abstract:
Adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy, with signs of upper airway obstruction is a common presentation in ENT clinics. Recently it is identified as a major cause of sleep apnea syndrome. Several isolated case reports of pulmonary hypertension and corpulmonale appeared in the literature. The authors report two such children aged less than 2 years with cardio-pulmonary changes occurring secondary to chronic adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy that were successfully treated with the surgical removal.