Ayurvedic Approach in the Management of Adenoid Hypertrophy Associated with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Abstract

Adenoid hypertrophy is a common paediatric condition characterized by enlargement of the nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissue, causing nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, snoring, recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, and Eustachian tube dysfunction. In Ayurveda, its clinical presentation can be correlated with Kantha saluka, a condition involving obstructive growth in the throat region. A 9-year-old female child presented with mouth breathing, snoring, recurrent cough, and rhinorrhea since the age of three years. Clinical examination revealed bilateral inferior turbinate hypertrophy, deviated nasal septum, and Grade I retraction of both tympanic membranes. X-ray nasopharynx (lateral view) showed adenoid hypertrophy, while tympanometry demonstrated bilateral Type C tympanograms suggestive of Eustachian tube dysfunction. The patient was treated with Karpooradi taila local abhyanga over the chest, followed by Pratimarsha nasya with Suntyadi arka, Dhanyamla gandoosha, and internal administration of Vasarishtam, Kanakasavam, Suryaprabha gulika, and Dasamoola rasayana for 21 days. Significant improvement was observed in mouth breathing, snoring, rhinorrhoea, and cough. Repeat tympanometry revealed conversion of bilateral Type C to Type A tympanograms, indicating normalization of middle ear pressure. The findings suggest that this Ayurvedic treatment protocol may be an effective conservative approach for adenoid hypertrophy associated with Eustachian tube dysfunction.