Nasal polyps are benign masses in the nose formed by an exaggerated inflammatory response in the mucosal tissues lining the nose and sinuses in patients with chronic sinus inflammation, also known as chronic rhinosinusitis. This inflammation can be caused by repetitive exposure to infection or allergens. An estimated 20-30% of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis develop nasal polyps.
Nasal polyps can grow anywhere on the lining of the nose or the sinuses. They often grow where the sinuses open into the nasal cavity. Small polyps may not cause any problems. Large polyps can block your sinuses or nasal airway.
Nasal polyps are not cancer. They seem to grow due to long-term swelling and irritation in the nose from allergies, asthma, or infection.
No one knows exactly why some people get nasal polyps. If you have any of the following conditions, you may be more likely to get nasal polyps:
If you have small polyps, you may not have any symptoms. If polyps block nasal passages, a sinus infection can develop.
Symptoms include:
Polyps can be seen during your specialist appointment using a small, specialized camera called a nasal endoscope. This procedure utilizes a specialized lighted camera to visualize the interior of the nose and assess for any polyps, inflammation, or infection. A CT scan thoroughly evaluates for inflammation of all of the sinuses located above, below, between, and behind your eyes. Both of these diagnostic tests are quick, painless, and can accurately determine if you have chronic sinusitis with or without nasal polyps.
Your health care provider will look in your nose. Polyps look like a grayish grape-shaped growth in the nasal cavity.
You may have a CT scan of your sinuses. Polyps will appear as cloudy spots. Older polyps may have broken down some of the bone inside your sinuses.
Treatment can range from medication to minimally invasive procedures with or without anesthesia, however, studies show that patients have lasting relief with procedural treatment of their nasal polyps.
Dr. Bublik is a triple board-certified physician specializing in treatment of diseases of the ears, nose, and throat, as well as allergies. These unique qualifications contribute to his expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps. Dr. Bublik regularly performs the procedures outlined above to diagnose and treat nasal polyps, including nasal endoscopy and balloon sinuplasty which is performed in his office without any pain using minimally invasive technology. In the operating room, Dr. Bublik utilizes the same minimally invasive technologies for patients with larger or more aggressive polyps. These procedures performed for removal of nasal polyps allow the patient to go home on the same day with minimal down time. Nasal polyps may regrow even after surgery. Nevertheless, Dr. Bublik is committed to creating individualized treatment plans to improve the quality of life in each patient
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