Polyps - About 25% of all chronic rhinosinusitis patients have polyps that are generally related to fungus. These polyps sometimes block nasal airways and create breathing difficulties. They may also inhibit proper drainage of the sinus cavities, creating stagnant secretions that stay in the sinuses, become infected, and lead to sinusitis. People who suffer from nasal and sinus polyps are frequently very uncomfortable and may feel as though they have a cold much of the time, with symptoms like nasal obstruction, decreased sense of smell, recurrent sinus infections, and profuse nasal drainage.
If your doctor suspects that you may have nasal or sinus polyps, he or she may recommend an endoscopic examination in an ENT (ear, nose and throat) physician's office. This procedure uses a small telescope placed inside of the nostrils to examine the nose and sinuses. Computed tomography (CT) scans may help to identify the precise location of polyps within these cavities.
Once polyps are diagnosed, multiple medical treatments can begin. Medications generally include anti-inflammatory sprays, decongestants, inflammatory mediator inhibitors, and systemic steroid medications. Long-term medication is often required to reduce polyp size and prevent their re-growth.
In some cases, polyps must be surgically removed. The surgeon inserts a thin telescope (endoscope) through the nostril to visualize the polyps, then removes them with a microdebrider. This procedure can take place in the operating room or in the office. To make sure polyps do not recur, regular rechecks are required. In many cases, if a proper medical and surgical treatment plan is followed, nasal polyps will not re-grow large enough to cause future symptoms.
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