Introduction
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.
Epidemiology
- Incidence: 100.00 cases per 100,000 person-years
- Peak incidence: 50-60 years
- Sex ratio: more common in males 3:1
| Condition | Relative incidence |
|---|---|
| Chronic rhinosinusitis | 5.00 |
| Nasal polyps | 1 |
| Head and neck cancer | 0.19 |
| <1 | 1-5 | 6+ | 16+ | 30+ | 40+ | 50+ | 60+ | 70+ | 80+ |
Aetiology
Associations
The association of asthma, aspirin sensitivity and nasal polyposis is known as Samter's triad.
- 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.
Clinical features
Features
Unusual features which always require further investigation include unilateral symptoms or bleeding.
- nasal obstruction
- rhinorrhoea, sneezing
- poor sense of taste and smell
Unusual features which always require further investigation include unilateral symptoms or bleeding.
Management
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