3. Introduction
◦Nasal polyps are bags of oedematous mucosa prolapsing into the
nose or paranasal sinuses
◦Oedematous lamina propria of the nasal mucosa surrounded by
hyperplastic secreting mucosa
◦Nasal polyps usually arise from the ethmoid sinus and the region
of the middle meatus
5. Stammberger Classification
1. Antrochoanal polyp;
2. Large isolated polyps;
3. Polyps associated with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), non-eosinophil
dominated, non-related to hyper-reactive airway syndromes;
4. Polyps associated with CRS, eosinophil dominated;
5. Polyps associated with specific disease (Cystic fibrosis, non-
invasive/ non-allergic fungal sinusitis, malignancy).
6.
7. Common Locations
◦Stammberger found that 80% of nasal polyps arise from
middle meatus mucosa, uncinate process and infundibulum
◦65% originated from ethmoid bulla and hiatus semilunaris
and from the frontal recess in 48%
◦Polyps were found inside the ethmoid bulla in 30%
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11. Pathogenesis
◦Numerous pathogenic theories
◦Final manifestation of chronic inflammatory disease eg
rhinosinusitis
◦Autonomic nervous system dysfunction
◦Genetic predisposition- disorders of ciliary motility such
as Kartageners and abnormal composition of nasal
mucosa e.g. cystic fibrosis
14. Conditions are associated with multiple benign polyps
1. Allergic conditions
• Bronchial asthma - In 20-50% of patients with polyps
• Allergic rhinitis
• 8-26% have aspirin intolerance
• 50% have alcohol intolerance
2. Cystic fibrosis
3. Allergic Fungal Sinusitis - Polyps in 85% of patients with AFS
4. Chronic rhinosinusitis
5. Primary ciliary dyskinesia
6. Churg-Strauss syndrome
7. Young syndrome (ie, chronic sinusitis, nasal polyposis, azoospermia)
8. Non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES)
15.
16. Signs and Symptoms
◦ Could be asymptomatic
◦ Airway obstruction and Obstructive sleep apnea
◦ Postnasal drip
◦ Dull headaches or facial pain
◦ Snoring
◦ Headache
◦ Rhinorrhoea and nasal stuffiness
◦ Hyposmia / Anosmia
◦ Craniofacial abnormalities
◦ Optic nerve compression
◦ Nasal mass
17. Examination
• Anterior rhinoscopy
• In small children, use a headlamp and rhinologic speculum
• Characteristics: Smooth, glistening grape like masses often pale in
colour. May be sessile or pedunculated, do not bleed on touch
• Otoscopy for any otological symptoms
• Examination of oral cavity- large polyps may prolapse into postnasal
space and be visible in the oral cavity
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19.
20. ◦ A single, unilateral polyp originating high in the nasal cavity or with a
stalk that is not clearly visible may represent an encephalocele or
meningocele.
◦ Visible pulsations on endoscopy and enlargement of the mass with
ipsilateral internal jugular vein compression (Furstenberg’s sign) help to
confirm the diagnosis.
◦ As a rule, if the intranasal mass does not have the characteristic
appearance of a polyp, is unilateral, bleeds easily, or has a stalk that is not
clearly identified, imaging studies are indicated before proceeding with
management
21. Laboratory Testing
1. RAST / skin testing. A thorough allergy evaluation in patients with history
of environmental allergies or a strong family history of allergies.
2. Nasal smear
Microbiology
Eosinophils (allergic component)
Neutrophils (chronic sinusitis)
3. Nasal polyposis in children -test for cystic fibrosis with either a sweat chloride
test or with hematologic genetic testing.
22. Imaging Studies
• Coronal nasal sinuses CT
• Gold standard. Shows the primary pathology, extent of disease and
possible bony destruction.
• Also aids in the assessment of the anatomy of the paranasal sinuses in
the event of surgical intervention.
• MRI only appropriate if intracranial extension is suspected. Bony details of
the paranasal sinus anatomy are poorly visualized on MRI.
• Radiography with Waters views may show opacification of the sinuses.
29. Medical Management
• Medical management is aimed at nonspecific treatment of this
inflammatory disorder.
• No clinical evidence shows that the management of allergies in atopic
individuals reduces or eliminates polyps.
• Oral corticosteroids are the most effective medication for the short-
term treatment of nasal polyps
• Antihistamines
• Intranasal steroid sprays may reduce or retard the growth of small
nasal polyps
30. Surgical Management
◦ Endoscopic sinus surgery and polypectomy
◦ Recurrence is common in multiple small polyps but less in
large and antrochoanal polyps
Uncommon polyp 4-6% of all nasal polyps Usually arising from the mucosa of the maxillary antrum
More common in children Unilateral Most arise from the posterior part of the antrum
70% emerge through an accessory ostium Prolapses in nose usually posteriorly towards PNS
Symptoms worse on expiration (ball valve effect)
Usually present late when mass is very large
Surgical excision via the nose
Cystic part in antrum solid part in the nasal cavity
Stammberger was who we consider the father of endoscopic sinus surgery and did a lot of skull base surgery too
Postulates that increased vascular permeability and impaired vascular regulation cause detoxification of mast-cell products (eg, histamine). The prolonged effects of these products within the polyp stroma result in marked edema (especially in the polyp pedicle) that is worsened by venous drainage obstruction. This theory is based on the cell-poor stroma of the polyps, which is poorly vascularized and lacks vasoconstrictor innervation
Most polyps are on lateral wall of nose. Common sites of nasal polyps include: uncinate process, bulla ethmoidalis, ostia of sinuses, medial surface and edge of middle turbinate
Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), also known as Samter’s Triad, is a chronic medical condition that consists of three clinical features: asthma, sinus disease with recurrent nasal polyps, aspirin hypersensitivity
Waters view or occipitomental is an angled PA radiograph of the skull, with the patient gazing slightly upwards
Why is sinusitis more in the maxillary sinuses and explain the way the symptom headache presents