Nasal polyps Flashcards
Nasal polyps
Growths of the nasal mucosa that can occur in the nasal cavity or sinuses
Causes of nasal polyps
Chronic sinusitis or rhinitis
Are nasal polyps commonly bilateral or unilateral
Bilateral
Unilateral nasal polyps
Red flag and should raise suspicions of tumours
Conditions associated with nasal polyps
Chronic rhinitis or sinusitis
Asthma
Samter’s triad
Cystic fibrosis
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome)
Samter’s triad
Nasal polyps
Asthma
Aspirin intolerance/allergy)
Presentation of nasal polyps
Chronic rhinosinusitis
Difficulty breathing through the nose
Snoring
Nasal discharge
Loss of sense of smell (anosmia)
Investigations for nasal polyps
Examination with nasal speculum
Nasal endoscopy
What do nasal polyps look like
Appear as round pale grey/yellow growths on the mucosal wall
Management of nasal polyps
Medical management:
- involves intranasal topical steroid drops or spray.
Surgical management:
- Intranasal polypectomy
- Endoscopic nasal polypectomy
Management of unilateral nasal polyps
Refer for specialist assessment to exclude malignancy
When is surgical management used for nasal polyps
When medical treatment fails
When is intranasal polypectomy used
When the polyps are visible close to the nostrils
When is endoscopic nasal polypectomy used
When the polyps are further in the nose or the sinuses
