nasal polyps

Question 1

what are nasal polyps associated with?

Answer 1

• asthma (particularly late-onset)
• aspirin sensitivity
• infective sinusitis
• cystic fibrosis
• Kartagener’s syndrome
• Churg-Strauss syndrome

Question 2

what is the Samter’s triad?

Answer 2

the association of asthma, aspirin sensitivity and nasal polyposis

Question 3

what unusual features would require further ix?

Answer 3

unilateral sx or bleeding

Question 4

what are the features of nasal polyps?

Answer 4

1. nasal obstruction
2. rhinorrhoea, sneezing
3. poor sense of taste and smell

Question 5

how are pts with suspected nasal polyps managed?

Answer 5

1. referred to ENT for a full exam
2. topical corticosteroids to shrink polyp size
   
   • _{intranasal steroid spray/drops e.g. intranasal mometasone furoate, flucatisone furoate, flucatisone propionate ⇒ trialled for 4-6 weeks}
   • _{drops preferred if severe obstruction}
   • _{if topical steroids don’t work ⇒ oral steroids while waiting ENT review}