Nasal Polyps Flashcards
What are nasal polyps?
Fleshy, benign swelling of nasal mucosa
Are the more common in men or women?
2-4 times more common in men
Not commonly seen in children or elderly
Are they usually unilateral or bilateral?
Bilateral
What colour are they?
Pale or yellow in appearance / fleshy and reddened
What symptoms occur?
Nasal obstruction Rhinorrhoea Sneezing Post nasal drip Decreased smell and reduced taste
A unilateral polyp+/- blood tinged secretions may suggest…
Tumour
What are nasal polyps associated with?
Asthma Aspirin sensitivity Infective sinusitis Cystic fibrosis Kartagener’s syndrome Churg-Strauss syndrome
What is the process called when nasal epithelial cells overgrow?
Hyperplasia
Usually nasal polyps are non cancerous, meaning that they do not break through the…
Basement membrane of the epithelium
Polyps can obstruct..
Airflow
Mucus drainage
In the sinuses this can cause pathogens to linger provoking infections
What can obstructed air flow cause?
Reduced smell
Snoring
Sleep apnoea
In infants - hypoxia
How are they diagnosed?
Visually - endoscopy
CT scan
How are they treated?
Shrink using steroid nasal spray - decrease the swelling and inflammation
Endoscopic surgery to remove
Polyps can occur in sinuses, particularly the…
Maxillary and ethmoid
Why do they have a high likelihood of reoccurring?
The causes are often chronic problems e.g asthma or seasonal allergies
Unilateral polyps are a red flag for?
Nasopharyngeal cancer - so warrant an urgent referral to ENT
When bilateral, should nasal polyps be referred to ENT?
Yes non urgently for assessment
Topical corticosteroids are first line management, which shrinks polyps in 80% cases
What is Kartagener’s syndrome?
Primary ciliary dyskinesia plus situs inversus
- frequent respiratory infections, sinus infections, chronic nasal congestion, infertility
What is Samter’s triad?
The association of asthma, aspirin sensitivity, nasal polyps
