Nasal Polyps are swellings of the nasal/sinus lining. The tend to originate chiefly from a specific area of the nose-the middle meatus and ethmoid sinuses. Most patients complain of nasal blockage and/or loss of smell.
They are caused by inflammation in this area and sometimes patients have nasal polyps on a background of generalised rhino-sinusitis. There is an association with adult-onset asthma.
If nasal polyps are on one side only, or look atypical, surgery partly for biopsy purposes may be advised-to exclude a nasal tumour (very rare).
Treatment options include:
- Nasal steroid sprays or drops
- Oral steroids-generally to "kickstart" the use of a spray or drops to achieve initial shrinkage. These are only given for 7-10 days.
- Nasal polypectomy-surgery to remove the polyps. This is done endoscopically, sometimes with endoscopic ethmoidectomy. After surgery, many patients may still require nasal steroid drops or sprays.
For more information, see:
http://www.entuk.org/patient_info/nose/polyps_html