Nasal Polyps

*What are Nasal Polyps?*

Nasal polyps are teardrop-shaped growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses. They are typically noncancerous. They are formed when the mucous membrane or your nasal passage and sinuses become chronically inflamed. Small polyps may go unnoticed, but larger polyps can block your nasal passage or sinuses and cause breathing difficulties, a loss of your sense of smell, and frequent sinus infections among other problems. They are seen more in adults, particularly those with asthma, frequent sinus infections, and allergies. Children with cystic fibrosis often develop nasal polyps as well. 

*Symptoms*

As mentioned earlier, small polyps will generally go unnoticed. On the other hand, if you have several polyps or large polyps you may experience a few different symptoms. Some of these are: runny nose, persistent stuffiness, postnasal drip, loss of sense of taste, decreased or no sense of smell, facial pain or headache, snoring, and itching around your eyes. As you may notice, some of these symptoms mimic the common cold, but if these symptoms last for more than 10 days you should see a doctor. 

*Diagnosis*

If you go see a doctor he may be able to tell by your answers to different questions about your symptoms, along with a general physical exam and examination of your nose if you have nasal polyps or not. Some polyps may be visible with a simple lighted instrument. If not, he may order a test for you to determine if you have polyps. These tests include a nasal endoscopy, which is a narrow tube with a magnifying glass or camera which is guided into your nasal cavity, a CT scan, or an allergy test to see if an allergic reaction is causing chronic inflammation. If a child presents with these symptoms, the doctor may prescribe a cystic fibrosis test. Cystic fibrosis affects the glands that produce mucus, tears, sweat, saliva, and digestive juices. 

*Treatment*

The goal in the treatment of polyps is to decrease the size of the polyps or to eliminate them and treat whatever is causing them to appear. Medications is one treatment a doctor may try. Nasal corticosteroids are often prescribed through a spray to decrease inflammation. It may also eliminate them completely. A doctor may also prescribe drugs to treat the conditions that are causing the chronic inflammation. If medication does not work , surgery may be required. There are two types of surgeries that are typically performed. One type is Polypectomy, which is where a small suction device is used to remove small polyps. Another surgery is Endoscopic sinus surgery, which removes the polyps and corrects problems with your sinuses that may be causing the polyps.

The image on the left is an Axial CT image and the image on the right is a Coronal CT image. They demonstrate nasal polyps shown by the arrows. 

http://www.brown.edu/Courses/Digital_Path/systemic_path/hn/nasalpolyp3.html