adenoid hyperplasia, enlarged adenoid glands, especially in children. Enlarged adenoids, often in association with enlarged tonsils, are a frequent cause of recurrent otitis media, sinusitis, conductive hearing loss, and partial respiratory obstruction. Severe obstruction can result in alveolar hypoventilation and pulmonary hypertension with congestive heart failure. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is frequently seen in children with sickle cell disease. Treatment usually consists of an adenoidectomy.
