| NASAL POLYPI ARE NON-NEOPLASTIC MASSES OF OEDEMATIONS NASAL/SINUS MUCOSA. |
Nasal Polyps is an important topic in NEET-PG exams. The following table enlists the differences between the two types of nasal polyps – antrochoanal and ethmoidal polyp.
| SR NO. | ANTROCHOANAL POLY | ETHMOIDAL POLYP |
| 1 | Common in children | common in Adults |
| 2 | Infections Aetiology | mainly allergic Aetiology |
| 3 | Unilateral | Bilateral |
| 4 | Single | Multiple In Number |
| 5 | ORIGIN : Maxillary sinus near the ostium | ORIGIN: Ethmoidal sinus , Uncinate process, middle turbinate, middle meatus. |
| 6 | ASSOCIATED DISEASES – | ASSOCIATED DISEASES – |
| Sinus Infection, Chronic Infections in nearby structures | Chronic Rhino Sinus IT/Asthma , Aspirin intolerance , Cystic Fibrous | |
| 7 | SYMPTOMS – | SYMPTOMS – |
| A} | Unilateral nasal obstruction (presenting symptom) | Nasal obstruction (Total nasal obstruction – presengting symptom) |
| B} | Bilateral nasal obstruction (in later stages) | Partial / complete loss of sense of smell |
| C} | Voice -thick & dull(due to hyponasality) | Headache (due to associated sinusitis) |
| D} | Nasal Discharge- mucoid (one/both sides) | Sneezing & watery nasal discharge |
| 8 | GROSS- Trilobed (Dumb bell shaped) RED- pinkish in colour | GROSS- Grape shaped (Grape like) PALE GREYISH in colour |
| 9 | Grows backwards to choana | Mostly grows anteriorly |
| 10 | Recurrance – unknown , if removed completely | High recurrance rates |
| 11 | DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS | DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS |
| A} | Blob of mucous | Hypertrophied middle Turbinate |
| B} | Hypertrophied middle turbinate | |
| C} | Angiofibroma | |
| 12 | MANAGEMENT | MANAGEMENT |
| SURGICAL : Polypectomy (Endoscopic polypectomy) | MEDICAL : Antihistaminics steroids treatment of infection | |
| CALDWELL LUC operation if recurrent . | SURGERY : Endoscopic polypectomy, Ethmoidectomy (which may be Intranasal, Extranasal or Transnasal) |
Do revise this topic every once in a while, as it is a commonly asked MCQ topic in ENT in NEET-PG , AIIMS , PGI , JIPMER and other medical PG exams.
