The role of enlarged adenoids in the aetiology of serous otitis media.

The size of the adenoid in a series of children with middle ear fluid was compared radiologically with the size of the adenoid in a series of age and sex-matched children who had sustained a head injury. There was no significant difference in the size of the adenoid in the 2 series of children. This therefore casts doubt on the role of enlarged adenoids in the aetiology of serous otitis media in the majority of children with this condition.