Nasal polyps

Around in 1% of adults in the UK have nasal polyps. They are around 2-4 times more common in men and are not commonly seen in children or the elderly.

Associations

• asthma (particularly late-onset asthma)
• aspirin sensitivity
• infective sinusitis
• cystic fibrosis
• Kartagener's syndrome
• Churg-Strauss syndrome

The association of asthma, aspirin sensitivity and nasal polyposis is known as Samter's triad.

Features

• nasal obstruction
• rhinorrhoea, sneezing
• poor sense of taste and smell

Unusual features which always require further investigation include unilateral symptoms or bleeding.

Management

• all patients with suspected nasal polyps should be referred to ENT for a full examination
• topical corticosteroids shrink polyp size in around 80% of patients