What will happen if nasal polyps are not operated on?

Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 18, 2024
00:00
00:00

Nasal polyps are a common pathological change in otolaryngology, mainly caused by chronic inflammatory stimuli such as rhinitis and sinusitis, leading to changes in the nasal mucosa. Nasal polyps are an abnormal structural change. Once nasal polyps occur, emergency surgical treatment is recommended. If surgery is not performed, the polyps will continue to grow larger, altering some of the anatomical structures of the nasal cavity and occupying space, which can impair nasal function. This may lead to nasal congestion, a decrease in the sense of smell, and changes in the external nose, such as a "frog-like" nose; the nose becomes swollen and large, resembling a frog. Over time, due to poor nasal ventilation, this can cause headaches, a heavy head, and other uncomfortable symptoms, therefore urgent surgical treatment is advised.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
39sec home-news-image

Can nasal polyps be felt by touch?

Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms that occur in our nasal cavity. Clinically, nasal polyps in their early stages are primarily located in the middle nasal passage. As the nasal polyps enlarge, they can also be found in the middle nasal passage, and severe ones might even protrude from our anterior nostrils onto our face. Thus, for larger nasal polyps, we can physically feel them; they feel very soft and not very elastic. However, they are somewhat resilient and can move significantly because most nasal polyps are pedunculated within our nasal cavity. Additionally, there is often a lot of nasal mucus.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
1min 15sec home-news-image

How to check for nasal polyps

Nasal polyps are benign space-occupying lesions that occur in the nasal cavity and sinus cavities. There are several aspects to the examination of nasal polyps: Firstly, an anterior rhinoscopy examination can be performed. If the nasal polyps are large, or even protruding outside the nasal cavity, they can be directly seen. Anterior rhinoscopy enlarges the nasal cavity, allowing visualization of the middle nasal meatus and other tissues inside the nasal cavity. Secondly, a nasal endoscopy can be utilized. Nasal endoscopy is particularly effective for viewing polyps located deeper within, or at the back of the nasal passages, providing very clear visibility. Other examinations, such as electronic rhinoendoscopy, follow the same procedure. The third examination involves a sinus CT scan, which is helpful for identifying the origin of the nasal polyps, as well as the location, range, and extent of obstruction caused by the polyps. Another examination is the pathological examination after nasal polyp surgery, which aids in determining the origin and risk associated with the nasal polyps, as well as assisting in subsequent treatments.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
41sec home-news-image

Can nasal polyps be seen with the naked eye?

Nasal polyps can be visible to the naked eye, but this is only in cases of more severe nasal polyp patients. In some severe cases, the polyps grow into and protrude from the nasal cavity, at which point a pale white, lychee-like polyp neoplasm can usually be seen in the nostril. For patients with nasal polyps, blockage of the nasal passages can cause symptoms such as nasal congestion, headaches, and runny nose. At this time, functional endoscopic sinus surgery can be used to remove the polyps from the patient's nasal cavity, thereby restoring normal ventilation function of the nasal passages, improving symptoms of sinus obstruction, and achieving a cure.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
1min 1sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
59sec home-news-image

How to radically cure nasal polyps?

The treatment of nasal polyps currently mainly considers two methods. The first is conservative treatment and the second is surgical removal. If there are few polyps and the symptoms are not particularly obvious, conservative treatment can generally be considered. This usually involves nasal sprays and oral medications, along with regular check-ups to observe any changes in the nasal polyps. If the control effect of the medication on the nasal polyps is not good, or if there are originally many polyps with obvious symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, dizziness, and reduced sense of smell, drug treatment may be insufficient, and endoscopic nasal surgery may need to be considered. Nasal endoscopic surgery can completely remove the nasal polyps, but regular check-ups are also necessary. Whether it is drug treatment or surgical treatment, there is a possibility of recurrence, and a complete cure cannot be guaranteed, therefore, long-term and regular check-ups are essential.