Nasal Polyps
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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
- ~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
GeneticsRisk 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 log in or purchase a subscription --
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
- ~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
GeneticsRisk 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
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