Incidence of Adenoid Hypertrophy in HIV Infected Individuals at a Tertiary Care Hospital

                         http://www.mathewsopenaccess.com/hiv-aids-vol-1-Iss-2.html

Adenoid is the condensation of lymphoid tissue at the posterosuperior wall of nasopharynx. Adenoids are part of waldeyer’s ring. It is considered to have a crucial role in immunological memory of child. There are reported and documented evidences of adenoid hypertrophy in Human Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV) infected individuals but there lacks a large study of such cases. The idea of the present study is to observe the status of adenoid hypertrophy in HIV infected individuals.

The study was conducted in the department of otolaryngology of a tertiary health care hospital. Patients were selected randomly from the register of ART centre of hospital that was undergoing treatment. 100 patients were selected who gave consent for inclusion into the study. A thorough otolaryngology examination was carried out which also included anterior rhinoscopy. All patients were then subjected to diagnostic nasal endoscopy. Adenoid status was recorded and lateral view X- ray of neck soft tissue was done to confirm adenoid hypertrophy.

 The mean age of patients was 37.6 years. Most of the patients (61%) were in age group of 31-45 years. Most of the patients (47 %) have third degree of adenoid hypertrophy. 42% patients have insignificant (1st and 2nd degree) adenoid hypertrophy and 58% had significant (3rd and 4th degree).  

The adenoid is the condensation of lymphoid tissue at the posterosuperior wall of nasopharynx. Adenoids are part of waldeyer’s ring. They are considered to play a crucial role in immunological memory of childhood infections. Adenoids are usually present in children between age 6- 10 years and usually regresses by 16 years. Adenoids are usually not seen in adults and if seen are misdiagnosed and wrongly treated. Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) in adults may be due to immunocompromised status such as or gan transplant recipient, malignant lymphomas and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Enlarged adenoids can achieve the size of a ping-pong ball and completely block the nasal passage. Further blockade may lead to recurrent sinusitis, rhinitis and acute otitis media.