poly-pous many-footed

Nasal polyps have been a medically recognised condition since the time of the ancient Egyptians and their removal with a snare was described by Hippocrates, a method which persisted well into the second half of the 20th century.1 Interestingly, only man and the chimpanzee are affected by this condition.

Aetiology

No single predisposing disease can be implicated in the formation of polyps, though they may be associated with several other diseases (table), notably non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma and aspirin intolerance or sensitivity. No evidence exists, however, for an allergic origin.2 In allergic rhinitis the prevalence of symptomatic nasal polyps is low (1.5%), similar to that in the normal population (1%). Since the advent of nasal endoscopy, however, any area of mucosal content may be associated with localised oedema or “polypoid” change, particularly in the middle meatus (fig 1).3 It is not known whether this change is the progenitor of gross polyposis (fig 2) and, if so, what factors determine progression of the disease process. Nasal polyps seem to be far more common than previous clinical studies have shown. Larsen et al reported that, with careful endoscopic examination of cadavers, a quarter of individuals had polyps originating in the sinus ostia or recesses of the lateral nasal wall without a history of sinonasal disease.4

Polyps do not …