Overview and Facts about Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are soft, generally painless growths of the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses due to chronic inflammation and swelling that typically look like peeled grapes hanging down.
Nasal polyps can affect anybody, but are more common in adults.
Signs and Symptoms of Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps do not always come with symptoms, so it is possible to have them without knowing it, especially if they are small. However, nasal polyps are most often due to chronic sinusitis.
The most common signs and symptoms of nasal polyps include:
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Consistent stuffy nose
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Loss of taste or sense of smell
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Pain in the face or a headache
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Pain in the upper teeth
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Postnasal drip
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Runny nose
Causes and Risk Factors of Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are most often caused by inflammation in the lining of the nasal passages and sinuses that continues for at least 12 weeks (chronic sinusitis). Not all patients with chronic sinusitis will develop polyps. Nasal polyps can lead to frequent infections if they block drainage of the sinuses.
Any condition that causes ongoing inflammation of the sinuses can lead to nasal polyps. Patients with asthma, aspirin sensitivity, cystic fibrosis, other similar conditions and certain auto-immune conditions are at increased risk for developing polyps.
Not all polyps are simply from inflammation. In certain circumstances, a polyp may represent some kind of tumor, even cancer. This is particularly concerning when there is only one polyp or multiple polyps that only affect one side.
Tests and Diagnosis of Nasal Polyps
An otolaryngology specialist, or ear, nose and throat doctor, can usually diagnose nasal polyps through a simple physical examination using an endoscope, a thin tube with a camera attached to it.
If polyps are identified, an imaging test, such as a CT scan, may be necessary to determine the extent of the polyps. Your doctor may order an allergy test to determine whether or not an allergy is contributing to the problem.
Treatment and Care for Nasal Polyps
Treatment for nasal polyps often depends on severity of symptoms. For small polyps that don’t cause any symptoms, it may be reasonable to watch them with no treatment. If there is concern that the polyp(s) represent a tumor, a biopsy may be recommended.
In most cases, polyps are first treated with medications to try and shrink or eliminate them. Corticosteroids are the most common medications used, with the goal being to control the inflammation.
These are often given in topical form that can be administered directly into your nose, but short periods of oral steroids may also be used.
If medications are not successful in controlling the symptoms, sinus surgery may be recommended. Endoscopic sinus surgery allows the doctor to work through the nostrils to remove the polyps and open the sinuses.
The resulting open sinus space functions better and allows improved delivery of topical medications into the sinuses. This allows for better control of the inflammation without using oral steroids.
Surgery is not a cure for chronic sinusitis or nasal polyps. Ongoing medical management is often necessary to control the inflammation, and it is not uncommon for nasal polyps to return.
