Relieving obstruction in your nasal passages.
Nasal polyps are noncancerous, soft, teardrop-shaped growths that develop on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses. While often benign, these growths can lead to significant discomfort and impact your quality of life by causing chronic nasal obstruction, reduced sense of smell, and recurrent infections. At St. Luke's University Health Network, our dedicated team of Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialists provide advanced, compassionate care for individuals suffering from nasal polyps, offering personalized treatment plans designed to restore your breathing and overall well-being.
Understanding nasal polyps
Nasal polyps are benign growths that originate from the mucous membranes of the nose and paranasal sinuses. They are typically soft, painless, and can vary in size. While the exact cause is not always clear, they are often associated with chronic inflammation due to conditions such as asthma, allergies, recurrent infections, and aspirin sensitivity. These growths can obstruct nasal passages, leading to a range of uncomfortable symptoms.
Symptoms of nasal polyps
Symptoms of nasal polyps often resemble those of a lingering cold or allergies but are more persistent and progressive. Common signs include ongoing nasal congestion or blockage, a runny nose with clear discharge, postnasal drip, and a reduced or lost sense of smell and taste. Larger polyps may cause facial pressure, headaches, snoring due to restricted airflow, and frequent sinus infections by blocking normal drainage, often creating a constant feeling of pressure in the forehead and face.
Causes of nasal polyps
Nasal polyps are strongly associated with chronic inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses, though the exact reason some individuals develop them is not fully understood. Several medical conditions increase the risk, including asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis, which cause persistent airway inflammation. Other contributing factors include aspirin‑exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), allergic fungal sinusitis, cystic fibrosis, and rare inflammatory disorders such as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg‑Strauss syndrome), all of which can promote ongoing nasal and sinus irritation that leads to polyp formation.
Non-surgical treatment: SINUVA® Sinus Implant
SINUVA® is a non-surgical treatment that shrinks nasal polyps within 90 days and may be an alternative to surgery. SINUVA® is for adults 18 years of age or older with nasal polyps who have had ethmoid sinus surgery. This technology may be appealing to nasal polyp sufferers who would prefer an in-office treatment instead of sinus surgery in an operating room. SINUVA® is delivered into the sinus cavity through the nasal opening after your doctor uses a topical and/or local anesthesia to numb your nose and sinuses.
Patients are usually able to resume normal activities with little to no recovery days needed with reduced symptoms of nasal obstruction and congestion and an improved sense of smell. The most common adverse reactions observed in clinical trials were bronchitis, upper respiratory or middle ear infection, headache, light-headedness, asthma and nosebleed. SINUVA® is not for people with hypersensitivity to corticosteroids or those with nasal ulcers or trauma.
Frequently asked questions about nasal polyps
Nasal polyps are generally benign (noncancerous) and not dangerous in themselves. However, they can lead to significant discomfort, impair breathing, reduce your sense of smell and taste, and increase the frequency of sinus infections. In rare cases, very large polyps can cause structural changes or vision problems.
Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, nasal endoscopy (using a small camera to view the nasal passages), and sometimes a CT scan to determine the size and location of the polyps and rule out other conditions.
Treatment options range from medical management, such as nasal corticosteroid sprays and oral corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and shrink polyps, to surgical removal (polypectomy or endoscopic sinus surgery) for larger or persistent polyps. Biologic medications may also be used for severe cases. SINUVA® is a non-surgical treatment that shrinks nasal polyps within 90 days and may be an alternative to surgery for individuals that would prefer an in-office treatment instead of sinus surgery in an operating room.
Yes, nasal polyps have a tendency to recur, especially if the underlying inflammatory conditions are not managed. Post-treatment, your doctor will likely recommend ongoing medical therapy, such as nasal sprays, to help prevent their return and manage any contributing factors.
