Symptoms of enlarged nasal polyps

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 23, 2025
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Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngology disease with various clinical symptoms and certain individual differences. If the nasal polyps are few, there might not be obvious clinical manifestations. They could be discovered during physical examinations or nasal endoscopy. If there are many nasal polyps, it could lead to reduced sense of smell, headaches, dizziness, nasal congestion, and runny nose. Overall, different patients exhibit different symptoms. In terms of treatment, it is first necessary to assess the specific severity of the condition, which can be evaluated comprehensively using nasopharyngoscopy and sinus CT scans. Most patients can consider medical conservative treatment, while a small number of patients with numerous polyps might need to consider surgical treatment. (The use of medications should be guided by a professional doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How is nasal polyp treated?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. In terms of treatment, it is first necessary to assess the severity of the condition. It is advisable to undergo a nasal endoscopy and a sinus CT scan. For cases where the nasal polyps are few and the clinical symptoms are mild, conservative medical treatment may be considered, typically involving the use of nasal spray medications, along with saline nasal irrigation. If the nasal polyps are numerous and the clinical symptoms are severe, and if conservative medical treatment is ineffective, nasal endoscopic polypectomy surgery may be considered. This is a minimally invasive surgery that generally yields good results, with less damage and a quicker recovery.

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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 Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps be cured without surgery?

Patients with nasal polyps usually cannot be completely cured without surgery. The formation of nasal polyps is mainly related to the patient's long-term smoking and drinking, pollution in the living environment, and stimulation from physical and chemical factors, which lead to the proliferation of nasal mucosal epithelium and edema. Patients with nasal polyps will have obvious symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, and sinusitis. The use of medications to treat nasal polyps can only relieve symptoms such as nasal congestion. For a complete cure, functional endoscopic sinus surgery is required to remove the nasal polyps and open the sinus ostia, restoring the normal physiological environment of the nasal cavity, to achieve the therapeutic goal. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps be treated with medication?

Nasal polyps can be considered for drug treatment, primarily depending on the severity of the nasal polyps. If the condition of the nasal polyps is not particularly severe, most patients can consider conservative drug treatment. Common treatments include nasal spray medications, and the nasal cavity can also be rinsed with saline. If the patient also has rhinitis or sinusitis, oral medication may need to be considered. However, during the treatment process, regular follow-up examinations are necessary to observe the treatment effects. If the effects of medication are not satisfactory and the condition of the nasal polyps is more severe, surgical removal may need to be considered. After surgery, regular follow-up examinations are still necessary to monitor the effects of the surgery.