[Sleep apnea in hyperplasia of the pharyngeal lymphatic tissue. Polysomnographic studies in children].

BACKGROUND

Hyperplasia of tonsils and adenoids is a common finding in early childhood. Breathing difficulties caused by hyperplastic lymphatic tissue represent an indication for adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy. It was examined, whether a polysomnographic recording is a useful tool to assess the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in children with hyperplasia of tonsils and adenoids.

METHODS

In 15 patients (10 boys, 5 girls), 1.0 to 6.6 years of age, with a history of breathing difficulties during sleep a thorough clinical evaluation was performed. Additionally, a polysomnographic recording was carried out, including thoracic and abdominal breathing movements, nasal and buccal thermistor, ECG and transcutaneous blood gases.

RESULTS

Before therapy, severe obstructive apnea was demonstrated by polysomnography in all patients. This finding disappeared almost completely after surgery. Hyperplasia of adenoids was diagnosed in 3 patients, hyperplasia of tonsils in 3 patients, hyperplasia of tonsils and adenoids in 8 patients, and other kind of lymphatic hyperplasia in 1 patient.

CONCLUSION

Hyperplasia of tonsils and adenoids contributes to the development of sleep-apnea-syndrome in childhood. A polysomnographic recording seems to be a useful tool to describe the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in children with hyperplasia of tonsils and adenoids.