Assessment of the nasopharyngeal airway. A rhinomanometric and radiographic study in children with adenoids.

An assessment of the nasopharyngeal airway in 24 children referred to hospital for adenoidectomy was based on symptoms, radiography and rhinomanometry. The only symptom that was significantly correlated to a small size of the nasopharyngeal airway was Snoring. By radiography, measurement of the airway as well as of the depth of soft tissue of the posterior wall was found well correlated to nasal respiratory resistance which was measured by a new technique. By this, rhinomanometry could be performed in all children down to the age of 5 years. Both radiography and rhinomanometry give valuable parameters for the indication of adenoidectomy.