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Enlarged adenoids - Treatment

Alternative Names

Adenoids - enlarged

Treatment:

Surgical removal of the adenoids (adenoidectomy) will prevent complications, and will cure complications if they already exist from enlarged adenoids. Antibiotics may be used to treat tonsil, adenoid, and sinus infections when they occur.

Expectations (prognosis):

Full recovery is expected.

Complications:

Enlarged adenoids can cause health-threatening conditions such as chronic ear infections, sleep apnea, pulmonary hypertension, and right-sided heart failure.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if your child has difficulty breathing through the nose or other symptoms of enlarged adenoids.

Throat anatomy

Adenoids

Reviewed last on: 12/1/2008
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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