Craniofacial features of subjects with adenoid, tonsillar, or adenotonsillar hypertrophy

To analyze the craniofacial features in children with adenoid hypertrophy, tonsillar hypertrophy, and adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

20 patients with adenoid hypertrophy (AG), 20 subjects with tonsillar hypertrophy (TG) and 20 patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATG) were selected. A control group (CG) of 20 children with non-obstructive adenoids or tonsils was also obtained. Kruskal-Wallis test and Tukey's post hoc tests were used to compare the angular and linear measurements obtained from the lateral cephalograms.

No significant differences were observed between AG and CG. Conversely TG exhibited smaller ANB and OVJ values and a larger SNB value when compared to both CG and AG, larger Go-Me, Ar-Gn and Ar-Go measures and a smaller NSGn angle with respect to AG. ATG showed a smaller ANB angle in comparison with CG and AG, larger Ar-Gn and Go-Me values when compared to AG, a smaller SNB angle and a larger NSGn angle with respect to TG.

Subjects with tonsillar hypertrophy showed an increased length of the mandibular ramus, a more horizontal growth direction, an increased length of the mandibular body, a more anterior mandibular position and a smaller sagittal discrepancy between the maxilla and the mandible than subjects with adenoid hypertrophy.