Long-term follow-up of children undergoing topical intranasal steroid therapy for adenoidal hypertrophy

SummaryBackgroundEncouraging results concerning chronic obstructive nasal symptoms due to adenoid in pediatric population were reported by use of intranasal steroid for short period. Up to now, no data are available about outcomes of such therapy after long-term follow-up. We evaluated the utility of mometasone furoate aqueous nasal spray in children with adenoidal hypertrophy in long-term maintenance therapy.MethodsAll children affected by adenoidal hypertrophy and undergoing successful mometasone treatment for 4 months in a preceding trial were reassessed after a mean follow-up of 28 months. Based on the duration of maintenance therapy and eventual adenoid surgical treatment, three subgroups were identified: (1) children voluntarily suspending maintenance therapy and requiring surgery (Group A); (2) children continuing maintenance therapy but undergoing surgery (Group B); and (3) children continuing maintenance therapy but not undergoing surgery (Group C). Clinical and endoscopic evaluation in each group was compared to the assessment performed after the first 4 months of treatment.ResultsSix patients (Group A) voluntarily suspended maintenance therapy and underwent adenoidectomy. Either the overall symptom score or choanal obstruction of this group worsened compared to the previous trial. Adenoidal surgery was performed in another three children (Group B) for ear disease. Chronic obstructive nasal symptoms and adenoid size were unchanged compared to the preceding study. Finally, 12 patients were in Group C. The overall symptom score and choanal obstruction of this group showed a further significant improvement at this stage.ConclusionsThis study describes the first long-term follow-up of children undergoing mometasone furoate aqueous nasal spray treatment for adenoidal hypertrophy. Voluntary suspension of maintenance therapy favors surgery of this disorder, whereas its regular administration may lead to successful results.