Long-term follow-up of children undergoing topical intranasal steroid therapy for adenoidal hypertrophy

Marco Berlucchi1, Luisa Valetti, Giovanni Parrinello

  • 1Department of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Spedali Civili, Piazza Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy. marco.berlucchi@tin.it

Insights

Long-term use of mometasone furoate nasal spray in children with adenoid hypertrophy can lead to significant symptom improvement. Discontinuing treatment may necessitate surgery, while consistent use offers sustained benefits for nasal obstruction.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chronic obstructive nasal symptoms in children are often linked to adenoid hypertrophy.
  • Intranasal steroids have shown short-term efficacy for these symptoms.
  • Long-term outcomes of intranasal steroid therapy for pediatric adenoidal hypertrophy remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term utility of mometasone furoate aqueous nasal spray for maintenance therapy in children with adenoidal hypertrophy.
  • To compare outcomes based on adherence to maintenance therapy and need for surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of children with adenoidal hypertrophy, previously treated successfully with mometasone for 4 months, was followed for a mean of 28 months.
  • Participants were categorized into three groups based on therapy continuation and surgical outcomes.
  • Clinical and endoscopic evaluations were compared to initial post-treatment assessments.

Main Results:

  • Children who stopped therapy (Group A) experienced symptom worsening and required adenoidectomy.
  • Children who continued therapy but still needed surgery (Group B) showed no change in nasal symptoms or adenoid size.
  • Children who consistently used the nasal spray without surgery (Group C) demonstrated significant further improvement in symptoms and nasal obstruction.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first long-term follow-up data on mometasone furoate nasal spray for pediatric adenoidal hypertrophy.
  • Discontinuation of maintenance therapy is associated with a higher likelihood of surgical intervention.
  • Consistent, long-term administration of mometasone furoate nasal spray can lead to sustained positive clinical outcomes.
Abstract