Polyp Removal
A diagnosis is usually made through direct visual inspection or nasal endoscopy (camera mounted to a lighted scope and passed through the nasal cavity). An imaging test, either a CT scan or MRI, can be useful in determining the size of the polyp and in ruling out more serious growths, such as tumors. Allergy tests may be administered in order to identify the substance responsible for your symptoms.
Signs & Symptoms of Nasal Polyps
Some nasal polyps are tiny and cause few problems. Others produce symptoms such as runny nose, congestion, sneezing, loss of smell and taste, postnasal drip, headache, sinus pain and pressure and snoring. If symptoms persist longer than ten days and are not associated with a cold or allergies, seek medical attention. Even though nasal polyps are benign, if left untreated they can grow large enough to cause serious complications including obstructive sleep apnea, meningitis, blood clots and aneurysms.
Causes of Nasal Polyps
Some people develop nasal polyps randomly, but most often there is some sort of triggering mechanism. Common triggers include asthma, hay fever, chronic sinus infections, cystic fibrosis and sensitivity to aspirin and other NSAIDs. Genetics may also play a role.
A diagnosis is usually made through direct visual inspection or nasal endoscopy (camera mounted to a lighted scope and passed through the nasal cavity). An imaging test, either a CT scan or MRI, can be useful in determining the size of the polyp and in ruling out more serious growths, such as tumors. Allergy tests may be administered in order to identify the substance responsible for your symptoms.
Treatment for Nasal Polyps
Treatment of nasal polyps has come a long way, making medical and surgical treatment much more effective than it has ever been. The goal is to reduce the size of the polyp or remove it completely in order to alleviate your symptoms. Nasal sprays, oral or injectable steroids, antihistamines and antibiotics are all common drug treatments. If they are ineffective, surgery may be recommended. The type of procedure depends on the size of the polyps.
A polypectomy is a procedure that uses a suction device with a shaver to remove the lesion and surrounding tissue, and is effective for treating polyps. Polypectomy can be performed on its own or as a part of a more comprehensive sinus surgery. It can be performed conveniently with local anesthesia in our ENT office or with general anesthesia on an outpatient basis in the hospital.
Excision of the polyps is often only one small segment of the thorough approach to keeping the problem under control. Our expert sinus physicians and surgeons will first try to identify the major underlying contributors to the problem and get them under control, otherwise, surgery to remove them in lieu of a complete medical plan will simply leave you exposed to the polyps coming back.
Call DeFatta ENT & Allergy at (715) 828-2368 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
