Importance of nasal fiberoptic examination in the presence of a normal X-ray of the cavum

• Published in: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2000-09, Vol.55 (1), p.29-32
• Main Authors: Souza, B.B, Hennemann, G.V, Anselmo-Lima, W.T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenoids; Biological and medical sciences; Cavum X-ray; Child; Child, Preschool; Endoscopy; Endoscopy - methods; Ent; Female; Fiber Optic Technology; Fiberoptic examination in children; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Nasal Cavity - diagnostic imaging; Nasal Cavity - physiopathology; Nasal obstruction; Nasal Obstruction - diagnosis; Nasal Obstruction - diagnostic imaging; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Radiography; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tropical medicine; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology
• ISSN: 0165-5876; 1872-8464
• DOI: 10.1016/S0165-5876(00)00370-0

A total of 45 children aged 4–12 years were studied at the Rhinosinusology out-patient clinic of HCFMRP. The patients complained of marked nasal obstruction refractory to any clinical treatment, and a cavum X-ray showed no sign of airway obstruction. All children were submitted to nasal fiberoptic examination in order to determine the number of false-negative results. The examinations showed 12 cases of severe hypertrophy of adenoid vegetations (27%) and 19 cases of moderate hypertrophy (42%). Furthermore, we detected six cases of hypertrophy of the turbinate cauda (13.3%) and three cases of posterior septal deviation (6.6%). These data suggest the importance of the indication of this examination, which permits a tri-dimensional and dynamic evaluation of the cavum area.