Craniofacial features of subjects with adenoid, tonsillar, or adenotonsillar hypertrophy

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the craniofacial features in children with adenoid hypertrophy, tonsillar hypertrophy, and adenotonsillar hypertrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 patients with adenoid hypertrophy (AG), 20 subjects with tonsillar hypertrophy (TG) and 20 patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATG) were selected. A control group (CG) of 20 children with non-obstructive adenoids or tonsils was also obtained. Kruskal-Wallis test and Tukey's post hoc tests were used to compare the angular and linear measurements obtained from the lateral cephalograms. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between AG and CG. Conversely TG exhibited smaller ANB and OVJ values and a larger SNB value when compared to both CG and AG, larger Go-Me, Ar-Gn and Ar-Go measures and a smaller NSGn angle with respect to AG. ATG showed a smaller ANB angle in comparison with CG and AG, larger Ar-Gn and Go-Me values when compared to AG, a smaller SNB angle and a larger NSGn angle with respect to TG. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with tonsillar hypertrophy showed an increased length of the mandibular ramus, a more horizontal growth direction, an increased length of the mandibular body, a more anterior mandibular position and a smaller sagittal discrepancy between the maxilla and the mandible than subjects with adenoid hypertrophy.