Nasoendoscopic photos of benign inflammation polyps as a result of chronic rhinosinusitis in the nasal cavities
Symptoms of Nasal Polyps
Tiny nasal polyps fungus may be harmless and remain undetected. However, larger nasal polyps can block your nasal passages or sinuses, causing some of the symptoms listed below:
- Breathing difficulty
- Running nose
- Loss of sense of smell
- Loss of sense of taste
- Frequent sinus infections
- Postnasal drip
- Facial pain
- Itching around the eye areas
Although nasal polyps can affect anyone, they’re more common in adults, particularly those with frequent sinus infections, asthma and allergies. We have two groups of nasal polyps- antrochoanal and ethmoidal polyps. Antrochoanal polyps occur in the maxillary sinuses. Ethmoidal polyps can occur in the ethmoidal sinuses. The most prevalent type of nasal polyp is ethmoidal polyps.
Some signs and symptoms of nasal polyps are similar to many other conditions, including the common cold. If the condition continues for more than ten days, it is advisable to consult the doctor.
Children with cystic fibrosis often develop nasal polyps.
How to diagnose nasal polyps
A diagnosis will be determined based on your symptoms as well as an examination of your nasal cavity (a nasal endoscopy). A flexible nasal endoscope – a tiny telescope with a camera attached – is used to examine the nasal cavity and nasopharynx to determine the extent and location of the polyps.
In some cases, a computerised tomography (CT) scan may be necessary to detect the nasal polyps. The results of the scan can also help to ensure that the growth is not something more serious.
Causes of Nasal Polyps
The exact cause of nasal polyps is unknown, although abnormal nose lining function, chronic infection and allergy are commonly linked with the growth of nasal polyps.
Polyps are an end result of varying disease processes in the nasal cavities. Nasal polyps are associated with chronic inflammation of the lining of your nasal passages and chronic sinusitis. They are also more commonly found in people with health problems like
- Asthma
- Chronic sinus infections
- Cystic fibrosis
- Allergic rhinitis
Treatment for Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps treatment in Singapore is complex and will depend on many factors.
Medications
- Oral corticosteroids are the most effective short-term treatment in shrinking nasal polyps, but they are not meant for long-term use. They can have serious side effects if given at high doses and for long durations.
- USA FDA has recently approved Dupilumab for the treatment of nasal polyps with chronic rhinosinusitis
- Steroid sprays might reduce and shrink the growth of small nasal polyps, but they are mostly ineffective in massive nasal polyposis.
- Antibiotics have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help with inflammation and reducing the size of the nasal polyps.
Surgery
In cases where medication is ineffective, surgery for nasal polyps removal may be recommended. Endoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure carried out through the nose without the need for external facial or nasal incisions. It is safe, and the outcome is good. Although in 10-15% of patients, their nasal polyps do recur despite ‘perfect’ surgical results. This is due to the underlying inflammation that caused these polyps to form in the first place.
Nasal polyps surgery is performed though a computer imaging guidance system (IGS) with video attachment to the endoscope that allows the surgeon to look at a video monitor while operating. The surgeon can spend a longer time on the operation with increased safety and achieve better outcomes for the patient.
Diseased & abnormal tissues, such as nasal polyps within the sinuses, can use safely removed.
There is minimal discomfort to the patient, and the procedure is usually done under general anaesthesia as a day surgery where an overnight stay in the hospital is not required.
Some of the signs and symptoms of nasal polyps are similar to many other conditions, including the common cold. If the condition continues for more than ten days, it is advisable to consult the doctor.
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Understand why your nose & sinus is blocked
The various causes of a blocked nose are discussed by Dr Kevin Soh in this video. He uses engaging graphics and videos to illustrate his points. Identify nasal polyps, swollen adenoids, and a deviated nasal septum.
2. How to get rid of Fungus in Your Sinus
Dr Kevin Soh explains fungal sinusitis in this video and how it can result in nose polyps. Find out how surgeons treat the maxillary sinus.
