Nasal polyps

Symptoms and causes

What is it?

Nasal polyps are benign tumours of the nasal mucosa.

Origin

They originate from the ethmoidal sinuses. Those are the sinuses located between your eyes. Nasal polyps can cause problems such as:

nasal congestion
reduced or loss of smell
headache
feeling of pressure
chronic or acute sinusitis due to a an impediment of the normal drainage of nasal secretions

It is not yet known what causes nasal polyps. Nasal polyps can be associated with certain risk factors such as:

the presence of asthma
intolerance to Aspirin
mucoviscidosis (cystic fibrosis)
primary ciliary dyskinesia

Diagnosis and treatment

The physician will examine your nose using a headlamp and endoscope (a scope to examine the inner nose). Sometimes additional testing is necessary, such as:

an inhalation test
allergy testing
medical imaging (CT scan)
...

The treatment consists primarily of nasal sprays and local cortisone sprays. These can be used long term, without dependency or signficant reabsorption in the blood stream. Cortisone pills or antibiotics may also prescribed. For serious, recurrent or treatment-resistent nasal polyps, it is sometimes necessary to remove them. (FESS: functional endoscopic sinus surgery)

The term 'nasal polyps' is frequently used to refer to the 'nasal tonsils' (adenoids). The adenoids play a role in the immune system of very young children. The adenoids are located at the juncture where the nose and the throat meet, and they have nothing to do with nasal polyps that may be in the nasal sinuses.

Treatment centres and specialisations

Ear, nose, and throat diseases (ENT)

ENT, otorhinolaryngology, ORL

Latest publication date: 13/12/2023
Supervising author: Dr Vermeiren Judith