ENT - Nasal Polyps Flashcards
What are nasal polyps?
Growths of the nasal mucosa that can occur in the nasal cavity or sinuses
Often associated with inflammation particularly chronic rhinitis
Grow slowly and gradually obstruct nasal passage
What does a unilateral nasal polyp indicate?
Usually bilateral
A red flag that should raise suspicions of tumours
List some conditions associated with nasal polyps
- Chronic rhinitis or sinusitis
- Asthma
- Samter’s triad (nasal polyps, asthma and aspirin intolerance/allergy)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome)
How does a patient with nasal polyps present?
- Chronic rhinosinusitis
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Snoring
- Nasal discharge
- Loss of sense of smell (anosmia)
What tools can be used to examine the nose for nasal polyps?
- Nasal speculum
- Otoscope with a large speculum
- Nasal endoscopy by a specialist
How do nasal polyps appear on examination?
As round pale grey/yellow growths on the mucosal wall
What should be done with unilateral nasal polyps?
Refer for specialist assessment to exclude malignancy
What is the medical management for nasal polyps?
Intranasal topical steroid drops or spray
How are nasal polyps removed surgically?
Intranasal polypectomy - if visible close to nostrils
Endoscopic nasal polypectomy - polyps further in nose or sinuses
