Among childhood illnesses, diseases of the throat also have their place. ENT diseases are of crucial importance for the proper development of the child, as well as posing a direct threat to the child's life and health in terms of the future and the complications of untreated ENT diseases. Among these, we can mention problems with the palatine tonsil and the pharyngeal tonsils, which often require surgical intervention.
In the course of their development, children are subjected to various types of disease. There are many conditions specific to childhood, which, if they are not treated, do not exclude the occurrence of dangerous complications in the future. Laryngology, as a branch of medicine, also faces such dilemmas and the responsibility of correct diagnosis and treatment. There are many conditions and problems in the throat that, if untreated, can become life-threatening for a child or cause dangerous sequelae.
Adenoidal growths
The pharyngeal tonsil, otherwise known as the 'third tonsil', is a cluster of lymphoid tissue located at the ceiling of the nasopharynx. It marks its presence, in a pathological context, particularly during the preschool years, as it is then the most common cause of nasal obstruction. The tonsil, between the ages of 6 and 7, begins a process of gradual atrophy, but if infections of the upper respiratory tract become a recurrent affliction of the child, they can lead to its hypertrophy, which disrupts the process of its disappearance. Such a situation is grounds for surgical intervention, towards the removal of the third tonsil.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of tonsillar hypertrophy include nasal obstruction, recurrent chronic throat infections, snoring along with sleep disturbances, sleep apnoea, chronic rhinitis as well as impaired auditory function. Typical for a child with tonsillar hypertrophy is a constantly open mouth, which is not without significance in terms of the development of the face, palate or dentition.
Diagnostics
In order to diagnose a problem with palatine tonsillar hypertrophy, palpation as well as anterior and posterior rhinoscopy are necessary. An endoscopic examination of the nose is also important in order to obtain a precise picture of the resulting pathology, which is of great importance, especially if surgery is required.
Adenotomy
Removal of the pharyngeal tonsil (adenotomy), is a procedure performed under general anaesthesia, after prior intubation. This procedure carries the risk of heavy bleeding, but this subsides relatively quickly. It is the most common postoperative complication, usually resolving within the first postoperative day. Other complications include open rhinorrhoea, which can become apparent after surgery, in cases where there is an excessively short soft palate. Any defect in the palate (e.g. cleft), is a contraindication to this procedure.
photo: panthermedia
Acute pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat, caused in around 80% of cases by viruses. This condition is most commonly encountered in immunocompromised children, as it is most often associated with an infection that takes place via the droplet route.
Symptoms
The main symptoms in this condition are fever and sore throat, caused by excessive congestion of the pharyngeal mucosa, as well as swelling of the lymph nodes and lateral pharyngeal bands.
Treatment
Therapy is limited to local and symptomatic treatment. The inflammation usually subsides after a few days.
