Allergy-induced adenoid hypertrophy in adult: A case report

Abstract

Adenoid hypertrophy is relatively uncommon in adults. The adenoid hypertrophies physiologically in children up to 9 years and then begins to atrophy between 7 to 9 years until 16 years. Symptoms of allergic rhinosinusitis in adults may mask that of adenoid obstructive symptoms when the two coexist. We report a case of a 20-year-old female with adenoid hypertrophy with an unusual nasal symptom overlapping with features of allergic rhinosinusitis. This study highlights the clinical presentation and radiological evaluation of the patient with a review of pertinent literature. We concluded that adenoid hypertrophy in adults could be an accompanying feature of allergy. A high index of suspicion and a thorough nasopharyngeal examination are critical to prompt diagnosis.