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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Nasal polyps are teardrop-shaped, noncancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses.
Small nasal polyps may cause no problems and go unnoticed. Larger nasal polyps can block your nasal passages or sinuses and cause breathing difficulties, a loss of your sense of smell, frequent sinus infections and other problems.
Although nasal polyps can affect anyone, they're more common in adults, particularly those with asthma, frequent sinus infections and allergies. Children with cystic fibrosis often develop nasal polyps.
Medications can often lessen the size of nasal polyps or eliminate them, but surgery is sometimes necessary to remove them. Even after successful treatments, nasal polyps often return.
- Fried M. Nasal polyps. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec19/ch221/ch221h.html. Accessed Jan. 4, 2009.
- Staffel J, et al. Rhinology, nasal obstruction and sinusitis. In: Wax M, ed. Primary Care Otolaryngology. 2nd ed., e-format. Alexandria, Va.: American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; 2004. http://www.entnet.org/EducationAndResearch/upload/Chapter-9-Rhinology-Nasal-Obstruction-and-Sinusitis.pdf. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
- Pawliczak R, et al. Pathogenesis of nasal polyps: An update. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. 2005;5:463-471.
- Fried M. Nasal polyps. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch091/ch091d.html. Accessed Jan. 4, 2009.
- Sinusitis. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Sinusitis.cfm. Accessed Jan. 10, 2009.
- Pillsbury HC III, et al. Nose and sinuses. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/print/sec19/ch217/ch217c.html. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
- Fungal sinusitis. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Fungal-Sinusitis.cfm. Accessed Jan. 10, 2009.
- Haddad J Jr. Nasal polyps. In: Kliegman R, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier Inc.; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/116189915-2/0/1608/891.html. Accessed Jan. 10, 2009.
- Rosenfeld RM. Clinical practice guideline on adult sinusitis. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. 2007;137:365-377.
- Tips to remember: What is allergy testing? American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatisallergytesting.stm. Accessed Jan. 10, 2009.
- Scadding GK. Comparison of medical and surgical treatment of nasal polyposis. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. 2002;2:494-499.
- Sinus surgery. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/SinusSurgery.cfm. Accessed Jan. 10, 2009.
- Tips for sinus sufferers. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tipsSinusSufferers.cfm. Accessed Jan. 10, 2009.
