Nasal Polyp - An Overview

If you have got the nasal obstruction, or got the repeated sneezing since a long time then you got to blame Nasal polyp. Not necessarily it is the only cause, but most cases will be due to the nasal polyp. Yes, nasal polyp is an outgrowth of the soft tissue within the nasal cavity. It is usually diagnosed when taken for clinical examination for other symptoms like mouth breathing in children or for acute episode of chronic rhinitis.

Incidence of Nasal Polyp

It is a most commonly seen disease. Every 3 of 20 cases in a day in outpatient department of ENT branch are the cases of nasal polyp. There is no age limitation in nasal polyp as it can be seen very commonly from the new born to adults.

What is a Nasal Polyp?

Nasal polyp is the non-cancerous soft tissue growth or the fluid collection results in the formation of the polyp. They are usually seen as soft, pedunculated mass. It is the result of the increased cell growth of the soft tissues. It has no sensation and are non bleeders. They are usually not painful and can be seen in single nostrils or in both the nostrils.

Causes of Nasal Polyp

Nasal polyp may be the result of the accumulation of the fluids or mucus within the nasal cavity due to the sinusitis, chronic rhinitis and due to the long term effects of drugs like aspirin.

Symptoms of Nasal Polyp

The symptoms of polyps in nose includes the severe nasal obstruction leading to the mouth breathing in children and in some adults, there is also decreased or complete loss of smell where the person with polyp will not be able to smell anything as a result he cannot enjoy the food and this affects his appetite too. And there is a post-nasal drip where the mucus gets accumulated and drains back in to the throat giving a strange sensation every time. The nasal polyps also results in the repeated nasal allergies like allergic rhinitis commonly associated with frequent sneezing, thin watery discharge from the nose and the dull headache.

Diagnosis

As the nasal polyps are non-painful, they are detected accidental for the other symptoms like nasal congestion or nasal obstruction. A simple X-rays is done for the examination of the paranasal sinuses helping in the diagnosis. It is also confirmed through CT scans which can give the exact location and extension of the polyp. It also helps to differentiate with the other diseases like carcinogenic growths, fungal infections or angiofibromas.

Treatment

The sinus infection treatment becomes the utmost importance before treating the actual nasal polyp. The sinusitis being the main cause for the nasal polyp to be treated in early cases. When this is neglected or continued for many years, it may result in the formation of the polyp. It is usually treated by the administration of corticosteroids, antihistamines, decongestants and with antibiotics.

If the symptoms still persists then do not delay in consulting an ENT specialist for the further treatment of the nasal polyps. The specialized doctors opt for nasal polyp surgery only when the other conservative methods fail and there is no further improvement in the patient.  

Surgery involves the nasal polyp removal, this is the final method opted for the treatment of nasal polyps. The removal of nasal polyps includes 2 procedures Functional endoscopic sinus surgery where all the polyps are removed under endoscopy. And the other method involves nasal polyp removal under local or general anesthesia called as Nasal Polypectomy.

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