Nasal Polyps

Nasal Polyps is a topic covered in the 5-Minute Clinical Consult.

To view the entire topic, please or .

Medicine Central™ is a quick-consult mobile and web resource that includes diagnosis, treatment, medications, and follow-up information on over 700 diseases and disorders, providing fast answers—anytime, anywhere. Explore these free sample topics:

-- The first section of this topic is shown below --

Basics

  • Chronic benign inflammatory lesion of nasal mucosa
  • Arise from ethmoidal cells but can arise from maxillary sinus mucosa although less common

Description

  • Appearance of edematous pedunculated mass in the nasal cavity or within the paranasal sinus
  • Often causes symptoms of blockage, discharge, or loss of smell
  • Most commonly bilateral; if unilateral, malignancy should be on differential

Epidemiology

Incidence
Increases with age to a peak in the sixth decade

Prevalence
  • ~4% in general population
  • Much rarer in children: ~0.1% and associated with cystic fibrosis
  • Asthma is present in up to 65% of patients

Etiology and Pathophysiology

Genetics
  • Patients with nasal polyps are more likely than controls to report having a first-degree relative with nasal polyps (1)[B].
  • No clearly delineated pathway; research has demonstrated separate TH1- and TH2-driven pathways (2)[B].

Risk Factors

An increased prevalence of nasal polyps has been described among textile workers who have been exposed to occupational dust, particularly among those with longer-duration exposure (1)[B].

General Prevention

Use of intranasal corticosteroids after polyp removal surgery has shown effectiveness against recurrence

Commonly Associated Conditions

  • Asthma
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Aspirin hypersensitivity
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Allergic fungal sinusitis
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Primary ciliary dyskinesia (Kartagener syndrome)
  • Laryngopharyngeal reflux

-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please or --

Basics

  • Chronic benign inflammatory lesion of nasal mucosa
  • Arise from ethmoidal cells but can arise from maxillary sinus mucosa although less common

Description

  • Appearance of edematous pedunculated mass in the nasal cavity or within the paranasal sinus
  • Often causes symptoms of blockage, discharge, or loss of smell
  • Most commonly bilateral; if unilateral, malignancy should be on differential

Epidemiology

Incidence
Increases with age to a peak in the sixth decade

Prevalence
  • ~4% in general population
  • Much rarer in children: ~0.1% and associated with cystic fibrosis
  • Asthma is present in up to 65% of patients

Etiology and Pathophysiology

Genetics
  • Patients with nasal polyps are more likely than controls to report having a first-degree relative with nasal polyps (1)[B].
  • No clearly delineated pathway; research has demonstrated separate TH1- and TH2-driven pathways (2)[B].

Risk Factors

An increased prevalence of nasal polyps has been described among textile workers who have been exposed to occupational dust, particularly among those with longer-duration exposure (1)[B].

General Prevention

Use of intranasal corticosteroids after polyp removal surgery has shown effectiveness against recurrence

Commonly Associated Conditions

  • Asthma
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Aspirin hypersensitivity
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Allergic fungal sinusitis
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Primary ciliary dyskinesia (Kartagener syndrome)
  • Laryngopharyngeal reflux

There's more to see -- the rest of this entry is available only to subscribers.