Observational Study of Effect of Intranasal Corticosteroids in Improving Nasal Obstruction in Patients with Symptomatic Adenoidal Hypertrophy

Abstract

Background: Adenoidal hypertrophy commonly causes nasal obstruction, snoring, and mouth breathing. This study evaluated the effectiveness of intranasal corticosteroids in improving symptoms and reducing adenoid size.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 60 patients aged 8–25 years with symptomatic adenoidal hypertrophy. Clinical symptoms and adenoid grading were assessed at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks following intranasal corticosteroid therapy. Forty patients completed six-month follow-up.

Results: Snoring (86.6%) and mouth breathing (83.3%) were the commonest presenting symptoms. At eight weeks, complete resolution of snoring increased from 13.3% to 75.0%, mouth breathing from 16.7% to 56.7%, nasal obstruction from 46.7% to 78.3%, and nasal discharge from 60.0% to 98.3% (all p=0.001). Grade III–IV adenoidal hypertrophy decreased from 51.6% to 21.7%, while 15.0% achieved complete radiological/endoscopic resolution (Grade 0). Clinical improvement was largely maintained at six months.

Conclusion: Intranasal corticosteroids were associated with significant symptomatic improvement and reduction in adenoid hypertrophy, supporting their role as a conservative treatment option.