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Bioclinical Profile of Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy in the Pediatric Population

Completed
Conditions
Enlargement of Tonsil or Adenoid
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: Complete Blood Count
Diagnostic Test: Tympanometry
Procedure: Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy
Registration Number
NCT03541434
Lead Sponsor
University of Patras
Brief Summary

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the principal cause of obstructive sleep apnea of childhood, yet little is known with regard to its pathophysiologic and molecular mechanisms. The present trial examines potential bioclinical markers of the disease.

Detailed Description

Background: Tonsils and adenoids comprise the main bulk of Waldeyer's ring, which is commonly enlarged in childhood, until the age of 11. Obstructive sleep apnea caused by adenotonsillar hypertrophy is a major contributing factor to cardiorespiratory morbidity in the pediatric population. It is also responsible for otitis media with effusion, the most frequent cause of children's hearing loss. Even so, there is scarce knowledge of its molecular pathogenesis.

Objective: Identification of clinical/molecular markers of adenotonsillar enlargement and investigation of their participation in the process of tissue hypertrophy.

Methods: A prospective cohort of children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy were recruited starting on 02/01/2017 and ending on 12/22/2017. Demographic and clinical data including age, gender, sleep apnea severity, tonsillar size, presence of middle ear effusion, family history, review of systems as well as tympanometric and complete blood count results were recorded. Blood samples and tissue specimens from the therapeutic adenotonsillectomy procedure were archived for future analyses. Children with chronic tonsillitis and/or adenoiditis, who also underwent excision of tonsils and/or adenoids served as study controls. Informed consent was obtained from parents of all study participants.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
134
Inclusion Criteria
  • Available history and physical exam findings
  • Available complete blood count and tympanometry at admission
Exclusion Criteria
  • Previous tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy.
  • Previous ear surgery.
  • Acute infection during the past month.
  • Active severe systemic disease.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
HealthyComplete Blood CountChildren with no history of adenotonsillar hypertrophy, recurrent tonsillitis, or middle ear effusion. They presented to the clinic for examination or a scheduled procedure.
Recurrent tonsillitisTonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomyChildren with a history of recurret tonsillitis but no adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Diagnosis was based on physical exam and complete blood count. They presented to the clinic for a sceduled tonsillectomy.
Middle ear effusionComplete Blood CountChildren with chronic middle ear effusion but no adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Diagnosis was based on physical exam and tympanometry. They presented to the clinic for scheduled myringotomy with or without adenoidectomy.
HealthyTympanometryChildren with no history of adenotonsillar hypertrophy, recurrent tonsillitis, or middle ear effusion. They presented to the clinic for examination or a scheduled procedure.
Recurrent tonsillitisComplete Blood CountChildren with a history of recurret tonsillitis but no adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Diagnosis was based on physical exam and complete blood count. They presented to the clinic for a sceduled tonsillectomy.
Middle ear effusionTonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomyChildren with chronic middle ear effusion but no adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Diagnosis was based on physical exam and tympanometry. They presented to the clinic for scheduled myringotomy with or without adenoidectomy.
Adenotonsillar hypertrophyTonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomyChildren with tonsillar and/or adenoidal hypertrophy. Diagnosis was based on physical exam and partly on x-ray of nasopharynx or nasopharyngoscopy. They presented to the clinic for scheduled tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy.
Recurrent tonsillitisTympanometryChildren with a history of recurret tonsillitis but no adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Diagnosis was based on physical exam and complete blood count. They presented to the clinic for a sceduled tonsillectomy.
Middle ear effusionTympanometryChildren with chronic middle ear effusion but no adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Diagnosis was based on physical exam and tympanometry. They presented to the clinic for scheduled myringotomy with or without adenoidectomy.
Adenotonsillar hypertrophyComplete Blood CountChildren with tonsillar and/or adenoidal hypertrophy. Diagnosis was based on physical exam and partly on x-ray of nasopharynx or nasopharyngoscopy. They presented to the clinic for scheduled tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy.
Adenotonsillar hypertrophyTympanometryChildren with tonsillar and/or adenoidal hypertrophy. Diagnosis was based on physical exam and partly on x-ray of nasopharynx or nasopharyngoscopy. They presented to the clinic for scheduled tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Bioclinical profile of adenotonsillar hypertrophyOne year post surgical procedure

Clinical, laboratory, and molecular markers of adenotonsillar hypertrophy

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Laboratory markers of adenotonsillar hypertrophyOne year post surgical procedure

Complete blood count (cells/L)

Clinical markers of adenotonsillar hypertrophyOne year post surgical procedure

Clinical findings from history (sympoms) and physical exam (signs) suggestive of adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

Wide-Band tympanometric findings of middle ear disease resulting from adenotonsillar hypertrophyOne year post surgical procedure

Resonance frequency of the middle ear (Hz)

Molecular determinants of adenotonsillar hypertrophyOne year post surgical procedure

Immunohistochemical expression of molecular factors involved in tissue growth (semiquantitative scale)

Tympanometric findings of middle ear disease resulting from adenotonsillar hypertrophyOne year post surgical procedure

Middle ear pressure (dekaPascals)

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Patras University Hospital

🇬🇷

Rio, Achaia, Greece

Children Hospital of Patras "Karamandaneio"

🇬🇷

Patras, Achaia, Greece

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