

nasal polyps

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Definition: Nasal polyps are polypoidal masses arising mainly from the mucous membranes of the nose and paranasal sinuses. They are overgrowths of the mucosa that frequently accompany allergic rhinitis. They are freely movable and nontender. The tendency to manifest multiple polyps is referred to as “polyposis”.


Symptoms of polyps include nasal block, sinusitis, anosmia (loss of smell), and secondary infection leading to headache.


- nasal inflammatory polyp
- nasal glandular polyps
- fusiform cell nasal polyps


- pediatric nasal polyps


Nasal polyps are usually classified into antrochoanal polyps and ethmoidal polyps.

Antrochoanal polyps arise from the maxillary sinuses and are the much less common, ethmoidal polyps arise from the ethmoidal sinuses. Antrochoanal polyps are usually single and unilateral whereas ethmoidal polyps are multiple and bilateral.

There are 2 major topographical types of nasal polyps.

- Antrochoanal

  • Single, Unilateral
  • Can originate from maxillary sinus.
  • Usually found in children.

- Ethmoidal

  • Bilateral
  • Usually found in adults.