Health Centres - Nasal polyps
What are nasal polyps?
The 'paranasal sinuses' are the air cavities within the skull that open into the nose. If the soft tissue lining of the sinuses becomes swollen, it fills the available space and can then expand into the nose forming a growth called a polyp. As there are a number of small sinuses between the eye and the nose, when polyps do occur, there will usually be several of them.
What causes nasal polyps?
The cause of nasal polyps is not well understood. Some believe that they result from an allergy to things in the atmosphere, while others believe that they are caused by a sinus infection.
What symptoms do they cause?
Polyps block the nose. Large polyps can prevent nasal breathing, forcing the individual to breathe through their mouth. They also cause reduced sense of smell. Occasionally, they swell so much that they emerge from the nostril.
When should you seek medical attention?
There are a number of more common causes of nasal obstruction, including a deviated nasal septum and inflammation of the nasal lining (rhinitis).
If you have a severely blocked nose, you should see your doctor. Inspection of the nose will reveal the presence of polyps. Your doctor will usually refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist if polyps are seen.
Does medical treatment help?
Nasal sprays and drops containing corticosteroids can shrink the polyps in some cases. A single small polyp is occasionally cured by this type of treatment. Corticosteroid tablets have a similar effect, but can only be used as a short course because of the side effects they can cause. They may be required initially to shrink larger polyps.
How are polyps usually treated?
The most effective treatment for nasal blockage due to polyps is surgical removal. Most specialists will arrange an X-ray called a CT scan to show the extent of polyp tissue in the sinuses and the layout of the bony partitions between the sinuses, the orbit (the bone around the eye) and the interior of the skull.
Removal is generally carried out using a telescope (endoscope) to look inside the nose. In some cases the polyps are simply cleared from the nose itself. In other cases, polyp tissue is also removed from the sinuses.
Are there any risks associated with polyp surgery?
There is the risk of bleeding from the nose or a black eye due to damage to the wall between the nose.
If the sinuses are cleared as well as the nose, there is a risk of the surgeon's instruments entering surrounding areas. Within the orbit, the eye and its muscles are at risk of damage. Entering the interior of the skull causes a leakage of fluid from around the brain (CSF leak).
These complications are uncommon and can usually be avoided by having a CT scan available at the time of surgery.
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