Study of Nasal Polyps in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Nasal polyps are macroscopic oedematous lesions in the nose openings are the most common problem of the patients. Main causes of the polyps are due to inflammatory conditions and allergy. An association with asthma, aspirin sensitivity and cystic fibrosis was seen in the population. The main objectives of medical treatment of nasal polyps are to eliminate or reduce the size of the polyps thereby improving the symptoms of rhinitis and breathing. The clinical characteristics and treatment pattern among the 125 patients having nasal polyps was analyzed by a retrospective, observational study using patient’s medical records and hospital data management system. Males predominated in the present study (64.8%) and majority of the patients were in the age group of 41-60 years (44%). Most of the patients suffered from sinonasal polyposis (76.8%) with the main symptom being nasal block (88.8%). Most of the polyps were of the inflammatory origin (53.6%). Asthma and rhinitis were observed in 11% patients. Majority of the patients were treated with corticosteroids and antihistamines. Many patients required surgery for the management of nasal polyps. Nasal polyps appear to be associated with inflammatory and may be an allergic response. Most of the patients require surgery while few can be managed with anti-inflammatory and/or anti-allergic drugs.