- Also known as reactive lymphoid hypertrophy or more simply reactive lymph nodes
- Benign etiology - lymphoid proliferation in response to antigen exposure
- Often noted with other lymphadenopthy in the neck
- Retropharyngeal nodes are found from the skull base to the hyoid bone
- May grow to over 1 cm in size and deform the naso- or oropharynx
- On CT: non-contrast shows homogeneity with muscle density; contrast shows variable enhancement, most often minimal
- On MR: T1 shows homogeneous low to moderate signal; T2 shows homogeneous moderate signal; T1 post-contrast gives mild enhancement
- Most common in chldren and those under 30 years of age
References:
Niedzielski A, Chmielik LP, Mielnik-Niedzielska G, Kasprzyk A, Bogusławska J. Adenoid hypertrophy in children: a narrative review of pathogenesis and clinical relevance. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2023 Apr;7(1):e001710. doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2022-001710. PMID: 37045541; PMCID: PMC10106074.