What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on November 19, 2024
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Nasal polyps currently exhibit a variety of symptoms, which should be considered comprehensively based on individual reactions and the condition itself.

If the polyps are localized and small, they might not show any clinical symptoms. In such cases, a nasopharyngoscope examination can be used for diagnosis.

If there are multiple polyps or if the polyps are located in special positions, they might cause clinical symptoms such as poor nasal ventilation, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. Some patients might experience changes in vision or facial swelling, numbness, and headaches due to accompanying sinusitis or other sinonasal disorders.

Overall, it is advisable to visit an otolaryngology clinic for a nasopharyngoscope examination to make a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis.

Other Voices

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Does everyone have nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are not something everyone has. The main causes of nasal polyps are related to the patient's smoking, drinking, and long-term exposure to physical and chemical factors in the air, which lead to the proliferation of redundant tissue on the surface of the nasal mucosa, blocking the patient's middle nasal passage and nasal vestibule, thereby causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and headaches. When patients with nasal polyps experience nasal congestion and runny nose, our first approach should be anti-inflammatory and symptomatic treatment. Next, it is necessary to perform a thorough diagnosis with an electronic nasopharyngoscope and paranasal sinus CT scan. After a confirmed diagnosis, patients with nasal polyps usually need functional endoscopic sinus surgery, which involves removing the polyp tissue blocking the nasal cavity and opening the sinus openings to restore the normal physiological environment and drainage of the nasal cavity.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Are nasal polyps likely to be malignant?

Nasal polyps generally have a low chance of being malignant, as they are typically considered benign lesions and are a relatively common condition in otolaryngology. The main consideration is the specific number of polyps; if there are fewer polyps and they are localized, and the clinical symptoms are not particularly severe, this situation generally can be managed with medication treatment and regular follow-up. However, if the nasal polyps are extensive and accompanied by clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, and dizziness, surgery is generally considered. After the surgery, a pathological biopsy will be necessary to accurately determine whether the polyps are benign or malignant based on the biopsy results.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is surgery necessary for nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms that occupy the spaces of the nasal cavity and sinuses. Clinically, once nasal polyps appear, they are generally removed through surgery. Currently, the main clinical approach is functional endoscopic sinus surgery. For some early-stage small nasal polyps, medications such as corticosteroids, methylprednisolone, and prednisone can be used for treatment, which can cause the gradual disappearance of very small polyps, a process known as chemical resection. In clinical practice, when nasal polyps are detected, they are usually relatively large, so once polyps are discovered during a hospital visit, treatment is typically conducted through surgery.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is nasal polyp fungus contagious?

Nasal polyps accompanied by fungal infection generally are not contagious to each other. This disease is not infectious and does not have direct contagion. However, it is necessary to visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist promptly after symptoms appear. The patient will need to undergo a nasal endoscopy and a sinus CT scan to assess the severity of the condition. Most patients may need to consider surgical treatment, and after surgery, regular follow-up visits are required to monitor the effectiveness of the procedure. One to two weeks after surgery, nasal irrigation should be performed, which can be done using saline or physiological seawater to help reduce the retention of nasal secretions.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Will nasal polyps grow back after they are removed?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. In terms of treatment, one can consider medication or surgical intervention. If there are numerous polyps and the clinical symptoms are severe, and standardized medication does not yield good results, then surgical treatment should be considered. However, there is still a possibility of recurrence in some patients after surgical removal. The main surgical procedure currently used is endoscopic nasal polyp removal surgery, which is minimally invasive and generally yields good results for most patients. However, regular follow-ups are necessary because there is a possibility of recurrence, particularly in patients with eosinophilic polyps, who tend to have a higher chance of recurrence.