Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are painless, benign, grape-like swellings that develop from chronically inflamed nasal and sinus lining. They are not tumours, but as they grow they block the nose, impair smell and set the stage for sinus infections. They are more common in people with asthma and aspirin sensitivity.
Symptoms
- Progressively worsening blockage on both sides
- Reduced or lost sense of smell and taste (highly characteristic)
- Postnasal drip and runny nose
- Facial fullness and pressure; recurrent sinusitis attacks
- In advanced cases, snoring and mouth breathing
Important: a polyp-like mass on one side only, or one accompanied by bleeding or pain, must be investigated further to exclude more serious diagnoses.
Diagnosis
Nasal endoscopy shows the polyps directly; a sinus CT scan maps the extent of disease and guides surgery. Assessment of accompanying allergy and asthma is important for treatment success.
Treatment
- Medication first: intranasal corticosteroid sprays and, in selected cases, short courses of oral steroids can shrink polyps and relieve symptoms. Saline rinses help.
- Endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS): the gold standard when medication fails. Polyps are removed and blocked sinus openings widened through the nostrils under camera guidance — no external incision.
- Aftercare: polyp disease is chronic; surgery opens the way but does not cure. Regular sprays and follow-up visits after surgery are essential to prevent recurrence.
- In severe, resistant cases, modern biologic therapies may be considered in selected patients.
When should you see a doctor?
Months of two-sided blockage with declining smell should raise the suspicion of polyps. Early diagnosis preserves quality of life and may reduce the need for, and extent of, surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are nasal polyps and are they dangerous?
Nasal polyps are painless, benign, grape-like swellings that develop from chronically inflamed nasal and sinus lining, and they are not tumours. However, as they grow they block the nose, impair smell and set the stage for sinus infections.
What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?
The most characteristic symptoms are progressively worsening blockage on both sides together with a reduced or lost sense of smell and taste. Postnasal drip, a runny nose, facial fullness and pressure, recurrent sinusitis and, in advanced cases, snoring can also occur.
How are nasal polyps diagnosed?
Nasal endoscopy shows the polyps directly, while a sinus CT scan maps how extensive the disease is and guides any surgery. Assessing accompanying allergy and asthma is important for treatment success.
Can nasal polyps be treated without surgery?
Medication is the first step; intranasal corticosteroid sprays and, in selected cases, short courses of oral steroids can shrink polyps and ease symptoms. When medication fails, the gold standard is endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), done through the nostrils with no external incision.
Do nasal polyps come back after surgery?
Polyp disease is chronic, so surgery opens the way but does not truly cure it. Regular sprays and follow-up visits after surgery are essential to prevent recurrence, and in severe, resistant cases biologic therapies may be considered in selected patients.
Would you like to book an appointment?
You can call our office or pick a convenient time slot on DoktorTakvimi.