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Nasal polyps are swelling of the lining of the nose, which is usually due to allergic inflammation of the lining of the nose. Nasal polyps come from the lining of the nose and often originate from the ethmoid sinuses, which drain into the side wall of the nasal cavity. Nasal polyps contain inflammatory fluid and, while they can be associated with allergy and infection, the exact reason why some people get them and not others is not known.
They commonly occur in more general diseases such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Late onset asthma rather than childhood asthma is associated with nasal polyps. Of the patients with polyps 20% to 40% will have coexisting asthma. Although nasal allergy is present in some cases, more than two thirds of the patients show no evidence of systemic allergic disease. However, 90% of nasal polyps have eosinophilia- Absolute Eosinphil count will be high. These polyps tend to recur more than in other conditions. Nasal polyps are rare in children between the ages of two and 10 years. If found in children cystic fibrosis should be excluded.
Nasal polyps are common in both sexes.One-sided nasal polyps are rare and associated with a range of conditions and need further investigations both in adults and children eg.Antrochoanal polyp, Ringerts pappilloma
Polyps look like small grapes and can appear singly or in clusters in the nasal cavity. The can cause:
and Blocked nose
and Runny nose and/or sneezing are seen in about half of patients
and A poor sense of smell (Anosmia or Hyposmia) and taste which may not always return after treating the polyps
and Chronic Catarrh
D N Endoscopy, where a small illuminated endoscope is used to see up the nose will exclude any infection or any unusual feature.
CT Scan of the sinuses are mandatory before proceeding to Nasal surgery.
Nasal polyps are known to shrink when nasal sprays or drops containing nasal steroids are used. Stronger steroids in drop form can be used but should only be used with care and limited to short courses because some is absorbed into the body.
Polyps respond and shrink using drops or sprays in up to 80% of people. New nasal steroid sprays can be taken to control symptoms for many years as very little is absorbed into the body and they can work well, but many take up to six weeks of treatment before their full effect can be felt.
Steroids in tablet form(Methyl Prednisolone, Defla cort) can provide good relief of symptoms but the effects are short-lived and they are used sparingly because of concerns about side effects. If medicines don’t work then surgery is needed.
Injection of Methyl Prednisolone 80 mg IM once in a month for 3 months can be tried.
Nasal Polypectomy. Nasal polyps blocking the nose can be removed surgically and this often helps the patient to breathe better. In three out of four patients the polyps come back after an average period of four years.
FESS.Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is the standard procedure to get the ethmoids opened and better removal of polyps.
