Nasal polyp: what it is, symptoms and surgery

The nasal polyp is an abnormal growth of tissue in the lining of the nose, which resembles small grapes or tears stuck to the inside of the nose. Although some may develop at the beginning of the nose and be visible, most grow in the inner canals or sinuses, and are not observable, but may lead to symptoms such as a constant runny nose, a stuffy nose or persistent headache, for example. example.

While some polyps may not cause any signs and may be identified by chance during a routine nose exam, others cause various symptoms and may need to be removed by surgery.

Thus, whenever there is a suspicion of nasal polyp, it is advisable to consult an otolaryngologist to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment, to relieve symptoms.

Main symptoms

One of the most characteristic symptoms of nasal polyp is the onset of chronic sinusitis that takes more than 12 weeks to disappear, however, other symptoms may include:

• Constant runny nose; Sensation of stuffy nose; Decreased smell and taste capacity; Frequent headache; Feeling of heaviness in the face; Snoring during sleep.

There are also several cases in which nasal polyps are very small and, therefore, do not cause any type of alteration, causing no symptoms. In these cases, polyps are usually identified during routine nose or airway examinations.

Learn about 4 other possible causes for constant coryza.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The otorhinolaryngologist can suggest the existence of a nasal polyp only by means of the symptoms reported by the person, however, the best way to confirm the diagnosis is by taking tests, such as nasal endoscopy or a CT scan.

Before that, and if the person has chronic sinusitis, the doctor may order an allergy test first, as it is easier to do and helps to rule out one of the most common causes. See how the allergy test is done.

Can nasal polyp turn into cancer?

Nasal polyps are always benign tissue growth, without cancer cells, and therefore cannot become cancer. However, this does not mean that the person cannot develop cancer in the respiratory system, especially if he is a smoker.

Possible causes

Polyps are more common in people who have breathing problems that cause constant irritation of the nasal mucosa. Thus, some causes that increase the risk of having a polyp include:

• Sinusitis; Asthma; Allergic rhinitis; Cystic fibrosis.

However, there are also several cases in which polyps appear without any history of changes in the respiratory system, and may even be related to an inherited tendency.

How the treatment is done

Treatment for nasal polyp is usually done to try to relieve symptoms caused by constant sinusitis. Thus, the doctor may recommend the use of nasal spray corticosteroids, such as Fluticasone or Budesonide, for example, which should be applied 1 to 2 times a day to reduce irritation of the nose lining. Learn more about possible ways to treat sinusitis.

However, in cases where there is no improvement in symptoms, even after a few weeks of treatment, the otorhinolaryngologist can advise you to undergo surgery to remove the polyps.

How is the surgery done

Surgery to remove nasal polyps is usually done under general or local anesthesia, with incisions in the skin and / or the mucosa of the mouth or using an endoscope, which is a thin flexible tube that is inserted through the opening of the nose to the site of the polyp. Since the endoscope has a camera at the tip, the doctor is able to observe the location and remove the polyp with the help of a small cutting instrument at the tip of the tube.

After surgery, the doctor usually prescribes some anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid sprays that must be applied to prevent the polyp from re-appearing, making it necessary to do the surgery again. In addition, nasal lavage with saline may also be advised to stimulate healing.