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Nasal polyps
Can nasal polyps be seen with the naked eye?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological disease with a high incidence rate clinically. The symptoms are numerous and may include nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. For some patients, the polyps can be seen with the naked eye during examination, especially if there are many polyps or if they are located near the front of the nose. Generally, after using an anterior rhinoscope to widen the nostrils, the polyps can be seen. However, in some cases, the polyps grow in hidden areas, such as in the olfactory region or within the sinuses, making them difficult to detect with the naked eye. In such cases, a nasopharyngoscopy or sinus CT scan can be performed for more accurate diagnosis.
Do small nasal polyps need surgery?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common nasal disease. In terms of treatment, if the nasal polyps are minimal, surgery may not be necessary initially. The first consideration can be conservative drug treatment. After timely medication, most patients may find their nasal polyps gradually shrink and might even disappear. However, regular follow-ups are required to monitor changes in the condition. If the nasal polyps do not improve with conservative drug treatment, surgical removal should be considered. Currently, endoscopic surgery is commonly used, which is a minimally invasive procedure with relatively mild damage, shorter recovery time, and generally good treatment outcomes. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)
Can nasal polyps be seen on an X-ray?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngology disease, which can be comprehensively assessed through nasal endoscopy or sinus CT scan. Generally speaking, nasal endoscopy is more intuitive, allowing direct observation of the extent and severity of polyps within the nasal cavity. If a sinus CT scan is performed, it has diagnostic and reference value for multiple nasal polyps, but it might not be very clear if there are only a few polyps. In terms of treatment, if there are numerous nasal polyps and medication is ineffective, surgical treatment should be considered. If the nasal polyps are limited and the clinical symptoms are mild, medical conservative treatment is recommended, but regular follow-up examinations are necessary to monitor the effect. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Nasal polyps CT manifestations
Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms of the nasal area. On a CT scan, they primarily appear as increased density shadows in the nasal cavity and sinus cavity. These shadows have a definite shape, which is why we see nasal polyps as oval-shaped. Secondly, the density of the nasal polyps can be distinctively differentiated from the surrounding densities; the density of the surrounding bone is very high, while the density of the nasal polyps is relatively direct, appearing as a gray density shadow. Thirdly, we observe accompanying inflammatory changes in the nasal cavity and sinus cavity on the nasal polyps, such as thickened sinus cavity mucosa and, in some cases, the presence of purulent secretions due to inflammatory infections, as seen on the CT scan.
Can nasal polyps be cured?
Nasal polyps are a relatively common disease and are benign neoplasms in the nasal cavity. Overall, the treatment results are quite good. In terms of treatment, there are mainly two categories: surgical treatment and conservative medical treatment. Surgical treatment is mainly suitable for cases where nasal polyps are extensive and widespread, and where conservative treatment has been ineffective. In such cases, surgery to remove the polyps is generally recommended. Currently, endoscopic sinus surgery is commonly performed to remove nasal polyps, and if accompanied by sinusitis, concomitant sinusotomy can also be performed. Overall, the surgical outcomes are quite definitive, and the procedure involves minimal trauma and offers a faster recovery. If the extent of nasal polyps is small and localized, without significant clinical symptoms, most cases can consider a combination of medical treatment and nasal irrigation. However, both medical and surgical treatments may have ineffective results or the possibility of disease recurrence. Therefore, after treatment, long-term regular check-ups are necessary to monitor for recurrence, and further treatment will be needed promptly if recurrence occurs.
Can nasal polyps be washed with saline?
Nasal polyps can be considered for saline irrigation, with the main types of saline used being physiological saline or physiological seawater. The main function is to help improve nasal ventilation and reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa. It also has some therapeutic effects for patients with poor sense of smell. However, overall, saline irrigation is still considered an auxiliary treatment method, and it is recommended to consider medication treatment. If the nasal polyps cover a wide range and the clinical symptoms are quite apparent, it could also be accompanied by sinusitis. Under such circumstances, endoscopic surgery might be necessary, which involves the removal of nasal polyps under endoscopy. Depending on the condition of sinusitis, concurrent sinus opening surgery might be required. It is advisable to visit an otolaryngology clinic for a formal diagnostic evaluation to determine the best treatment approach.
Can nasal polyps become cancerous?
Nasal polyps are growths in the nasal cavity mucosa that form due to inflammation, edema, and the effects of gravity, resembling lychee-like neoplasms. They are relatively soft and do not bleed easily upon formation. Their stalk mainly originates from the middle nasal meatus, making nasal polyps a benign tissue lesion that will not become cancerous. However, prolonged growth of polyps may lead to deformation of the nasal cavity, obstructing ventilation and drainage, which can cause sinusitis, nasal congestion, headaches, and more. Therefore, early-stage nasal polyps can be conservatively treated with internal medicine. If there is nasal obstruction, aggressive growth, or purulent nasal discharge, surgical treatment is generally recommended to prevent recurrence.
Can nasal polyps be cured?
Nasal polyps are curable, and patients can be cured through localized surgical treatment. The cause of nasal polyps is unknown, generally due to chronic inflammatory stimulation, leading to bilateral nasal turbinate mucosal diffuse congestion, edema, proliferation, and prolapse, resulting in nasal polyps. They are also often secondary to allergic rhinitis. Nasal polyps generally occur bilaterally, causing the patient to have persistent nasal congestion that progressively worsens. In addition, patients may experience facial swelling, headache, and yellow nasal discharge, among other symptoms. During an examination with an electronic nasoscope, pale lychee-like masses can be observed in the nasal passages on both sides. These are soft, painless, and not prone to bleeding. In terms of treatment, nasal polyps require endoscopic nasal polyp removal surgery and sinus opening surgery for a cure.
Where to apply moxibustion for nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps cannot be treated through moxibustion, as they are benign or malignant tumors of the nasal cavity. Local surgery is required for treatment. The causes of nasal polyps are unknown in clinical settings. Generally, they are directly related to the patient's long-term chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis, resulting from persistent congestion, edema, proliferation, and dehydration of the nasal mucosa. Patients will experience progressive bilateral nasal congestion, along with a foreign body sensation and swelling in the nasal cavity, which can also lead to diminished sense of smell, memory loss, and other related symptoms. A detailed examination with an endoscopic nasal examination and sinus CT scan at a hospital can confirm the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, nasal polyps cannot be cured through conservative treatment. An endoscopic polypectomy can cure the condition. Post-surgery, patients need to exercise, avoid catching colds to prevent recurrence.
Do you need to be hospitalized for nasal polyp surgery?
The surgery for nasal polyps is performed under general anesthesia using endoscopic techniques to excise the polyps. The procedure places high demands on the patient's overall health, but typically yields good results. As such, hospitalization is required for nasal polyp surgery, as it often involves additional procedures such as sinus opening and correction of a deviated nasal septum. Nasal polyps are generally caused by sinusitis, rhinitis, or chronic inflammation over a long period of time. Simply removing the nasal polyps may lead to recurrence. In order to thoroughly treat nasal polyps, and address chronic inflammation, sinus issues, and anatomical abnormalities such as a deviated nasal septum, specific treatments are required during surgery. This not only effectively eradicates the nasal polyps but also helps prevent their recurrence. Therefore, hospitalization is required for this type of surgery.