Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia


 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Nasal polyps

 

Nasal polyps are soft, sac-like growths on the lining of the nose or sinuses.

Causes

Nasal polyps can grow anywhere on the lining of the nose or the sinuses. They often grow where the sinuses open into the nasal cavity. Small polyps may not cause any problems. Large polyps can block your sinuses or nasal airway.

Nasal polyps are not cancer. They seem to grow due to long-term swelling and irritation in the nose from allergies, asthma, or infection.

No one knows exactly why some people get nasal polyps. If you have any of the following conditions, you may be more likely to get nasal polyps:

  • Aspirin sensitivity
  • Asthma
  • Chronic sinus infections
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Hay fever

Symptoms

 

If you have small polyps, you may not have any symptoms. If polyps block nasal passages, a sinus infection can develop.

Symptoms include:

  • Runny nose
  • Stuffed up nose
  • Sneezing
  • Feeling like your nose is blocked
  • Loss of smell
  • Loss of taste
  • Headache and pain if you also have a sinus infection

With polyps, you may feel like you always have a head cold.

 

Exams and Tests

 

Your health care provider will look in your nose. Polyps look like a grayish grape-shaped growth in the nasal cavity.

You may have a CT scan of your sinuses. Polyps will appear as cloudy spots. Older polyps may have broken down some of the bone inside your sinuses.

 

Treatment

 

Medicines help relieve symptoms, but rarely get rid of nasal polyps.

  • Nasal steroid sprays shrink polyps. They help clear blocked nasal passages and runny nose. Symptoms return if treatment is stopped.
  • Corticosteroid pills or liquid may also shrink polyps, and can reduce swelling and nasal congestion. The effect lasts a few months in most cases.
  • Allergy medicines can help prevent polyps from growing back.
  • Antibiotics can treat a sinus infection caused by bacteria. They can't treat polyps or sinus infections caused by a virus.

If medicines don't work, or you have very large polyps, you may need surgery to remove them.

  • Endoscopic sinus surgery is often used to treat polyps. With this procedure, your doctor uses a thin, lighted tube with instruments at the end. The tube is inserted into your nasal passages and the doctor removes the polyps.
  • Usually you can go home the same day.
  • Sometimes, polyps come back, even after surgery.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Removing polyps with surgery often makes it easier to breathe through your nose. Over time, however, nasal polyps often return.

Loss of smell or taste does not always improve following treatment with medicine or surgery.

 

Possible Complications

 

Complications may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Polyps coming back after treatment

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your provider if you often find it hard to breathe through your nose.

 

Prevention

 

You can't prevent nasal polyps. However, nasal sprays, antihistamines, and allergy shots may help prevent polyps that block your airway.

Treating sinus infections right away also may help.

 

 

References

Bachert C, Calus L, Gevaert P. Rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. In: Adkinson NF, Bochner BS, Burks AW, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 43.

Becker SS. Surgical management of polyps in the treatment of nasal airway obstruction. Otolaryngol Clin North Am . 2009;42 (2): 377-385. PMID: 19328899 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19328899 .

Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al. Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis executive summary. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg . 2015;152(4):598-609. PMID: 25833927 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25833927 .

Soler ZM, Smith TL. Results of medical and surgical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps. In: Flint PW, Haughey BH, Lund LJ, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 44.

 
  • Throat anatomy - illustration

    Structures of the throat include the esophagus, trachea, epiglottis and tonsils.

    Throat anatomy

    illustration

  • Nasal polyps - illustration

    Nasal polyps (Small, sac-like growths consisting of inflamed nasal mucosa) are seen with asthma, hay fever, chronic sinus infections, and cystic fibrosis.

    Nasal polyps

    illustration

    • Throat anatomy - illustration

      Structures of the throat include the esophagus, trachea, epiglottis and tonsils.

      Throat anatomy

      illustration

    • Nasal polyps - illustration

      Nasal polyps (Small, sac-like growths consisting of inflamed nasal mucosa) are seen with asthma, hay fever, chronic sinus infections, and cystic fibrosis.

      Nasal polyps

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

        Tests for Nasal polyps

         

           

          Review Date: 8/5/2015

          Reviewed By: Sumana Jothi MD, specialist in laryngology, Clinical Instructor UCSF Otolaryngology, NCHCS VA, SFVA, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

          The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

           
           
           

           

           

          A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



          Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.