Hello,
I just received results of my son's sleep study (the polysom ... if only I had the spelling down), and he has been diagnosed with severe mixed sleep apnea.  Looking at other posts, I realize that I should be able to get the "numbers," but right now I am just going on what the ENT gave me - who had them from the pediatric sleep doctor.  My son is 4 years 8 months old, and he had 20 episodes an hour of apnea, and also episodes of slowed breathing, though he did not show decreased oxygen levels or higher CO2 (I hope I am quoting all this right), which was the good news of it all.  His xray showed a very enlarged adenoid, but the pediatrician describes his tonsils as "average, actually on the smallish side".  The ENT said the tonsils are a "2.5 on a scale of 4".  (How is that for 2 different opinions!)  His tonsils are not touching or anything unusual, and I very much respect the pediatrician, so I probably lean with him!  My son's only obvious symptoms are occasional snoring, apnea episodes that I have witnessed infrequently, and a voice that makes you think no air travels through his nose.  He does have his father's chin (certainly small), so his facial structure probably contributes too.  He sleeps like a rock 10 hours a night but is perfectly cheerful all day long and unbelievably well behaved and super bright (and that would be his preschool teacher's report too, not just mom talking   .  

The ENT is recommending the removal of his tonsils and adenoid, and says that a CPAP may still be needed, and we should also follow up with the pediatric sleep doctor.  My big question is about the necessity of the tonsils being removed, versus just the adenoid.    The kicker:  My son has so many sensory issues with eating, he is the world's pickiest eater - eating only crunchy/dry foods - hates ice cream, hates popsicles, hates juices, only drinks milk and water, and will dry heave or vomit if foods aren't working for him.  Ironically, my background is special education, and I've tried behavioral programs to the nth degree to combat this, and have simply caved with the knowledge that he is otherwise healthy, happy, and I just need to trust that this food pickiness too shall pass with time, and it is better to not make an issue out of what really doesn't need to be one.  I am just beyond worried that the post surgery phase for a tonsilectomy would be horrible watching my 33 pound waif of a 4 year old not eat and potentially have more issues over the limited foods he willingly eats now.

Does anyone know the scoop on whether success can be seen with kids if only the adenoid is removed?  Is there research on this?  
I'm definitely scared about all of this.  

I don't have time to write a long response, and may come back to do that if I can't say all I want to briefly..

Yes, you can do just the adenoids, but the recovery process is pretty much the same as if the tonsils are removed.  Were it me, I'd talk with the sleep doctor and see if you can work on desensitizing him to a mask (we use the FlexiFit 406 with GREAT success) and then trial a c-pap in the sleep lab and see how it goes.  We did this with our son and it has worked out great for him!

If you are going to have the adenoids removed and leave the tonsils, the tonsils become more susceptible to infection, which is probably why the ENT is recommending both.

You are the Mom, so if you don't like what someone tells you and you want another opinion, don't be afraid to ask for one!

Glad to know his sats stay up and no build up of CO2..That's great news!  In light of that data, I wouldn't be inclined to do any surgery if the c-pap or bi-pap could help. He may just need to grow into his adenoids...

Hope that helps some...

Tiffany
Mom to Isaac, my 3 year old hose head, reading at 1st grade level and doing simple math (but can't answer, "How are you?")
and to Esther Rose, my beautiful 6 month old Princess, who sleeps fairly well when she feels like it!