Effect of respiration on nasopharyngeal radiographs when assessing adenoidal enlargement

Abstract

Clinical assessment of adenoidal enlargement in children is difficult and so the lateral nasopharyngeal radiograph is frequently used to assess both adenoid size and the appearance of the adjacent airways. Various measurements of the soft tissues and airways can be made to assess normality or otherwise. Little previously has been mentioned about the physiological conditions, particularly the mode of respiration, under which these radiographs should be obtained and how changes in these conditions affect their appearance. The marked effect in the appearances of nasopharyngeal soft tissues and palatal airway on simply changing from mouth to nose breathing is presented, and an alternative method of examination, for use under certain circumstances is described.