Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are soft, painless growths that form inside the nasal passages, often near the openings of the sinuses. They are usually clear-white or translucent and can resemble a cluster of grapes. While they are not cancerous, nasal polyps can cause persistent congestion, frequent sinus infections, and a reduced sense of smell. This can result in making every day breathing a challenge. At Charleston Sinus Center, we specialize in diagnosing and treating nasal polyps. This helps to restore clear breathing and improve quality of life.

The problem

What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps often develop slowly, and their symptoms can be easy to overlook at first. Over time, however, they may cause persistent and frustrating issues. If you notice these symptoms lasting more than a few weeks, it may be a sign of nasal polyps or another chronic sinus condition that requires medical evaluation:

Nasal congestion

Many patients feel like they are always “stuffed up.”

Frequent sinus infections

Repeated infections can make breathing and daily life more difficult.

Thick nasal mucus

Often difficult to clear, leading to ongoing discomfort.

Lost sense of smell

One of the most common and noticeable symptoms, which may also affect taste.

WHY

What causes nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are strongly associated with chronic sinusitis; in fact, chronic sinusitis is often divided into two categories: chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps, and chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. The precise reasons that some people get nasal polyps and others do not, are not fully understood at present. However, it is clear that anything that causes inflammation in the nose and sinuses simulates polyp growth in people who are predisposed to developing polyps. Common causes of inflammation that can lead to polyps includes allergies, asthma, recurrent sinus infections, and sensitivity to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Having cystic fibrosis, or being a carrier for cystic fibrosis, predisposes an individual to nasal polyps. Environmental pollutants can also cause polyps, and individuals who frequently work around fumes or fine dusts can be more susceptible to development of nasal polyps.

Why Choose Us?

Board-certified ENT & sinus specialists
State-of-the-art endoscopic technology
In-office minimally invasive options like Balloon Sinuplasty
Comprehensive care plans: diagnosis, surgery, and long-term management
Proven results: 85% success rate with sinus surgery

nasal polyps

Treatment of nasal polyps

Nasal polyps are difficult to get rid of forever, but for most people, excellent control and good quality of life related to polyps can be achieved. For most people, nasal polyps are a chronic disease, and successful control of the polyps requires long-term regular use of nasal sprays, nasal rinses, and allergy medications. Surgery is frequently required as part of the overall treatment, and if any environment allergies are present, a 3-5 year minimum course of allergy shots (immunotherapy) is very helpful to keep polyps from coming back.

For patients who continue to develop polyps in spite of all of these treatments, there are now newer biologic agents that can be given every 2-4 weeks as injections that are very helpful for controlling polyps.

At the Charleston Sinus Center, we are experts at treating nasal polyps, and work with each of our patients who suffers from nasal polyps to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. This plan frequently evolves over time, based on how the patient responds to the initial treatments.

Initial steps for nasal polyp treatment

The diagnosis of nasal polyps is confirmed with a nasal endoscopy, which is performed routinely as part of our comprehensive evaluations at the Charleston Sinus Center. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, medical treatment is started, and in many cases, a CT scan of the sinuses is ordered.

Surgical treatment of nasal polyps

When nasal polyps are very small, a few fortunate patients will be able to obtain complete resolution of the polyps with medical therapy alone. However, for the majority of patients suffering from nasal polyps, sinus surgery will be required to remove the polyps and open up all of the sinuses.

Patient Testimonials

"I hate to leave a "Dr Russell and his staff was Great!" or "He was awesome!" review, except both of those things are true. I felt Dr Russell really listened to my complaint and concerns. "

"Great Dr! He always takes time to explain whatever is going on. I've been a patient of his for about 8 years. Treated for sinusitis, nose polyps, and ear problems. Would never consider going to another ENT. Thanks Dr Russell"

"This is the first time in my life I haven't been to the doctor for a sore throat in over a year. I appreciate Dr. Russel for helping me. I am so glad he is my doctor. What a difference you've made in my life!"

Ongoing treatment of nasal polyps

Treatment of nasal polyps does not end after sinus surgery. In fact, while surgical treatment is often a key part of treatment, long-term consistent medical treatments are required to prevent the return of nasal polyps. It is vitally important that following sinus surgery, patients consistently follow the regimen of medications and therapies that are prescribed. These regimens typically include daily or twice daily use of sinus rinses, nasal steroid sprays, nasal antihistamine sprays, oral antihistamines, and allergy shots (immunotherapy). In some cases, when all of these treatments are not enough, there are new monoclonal antibody treatments (biologics), such as dupilumab, that can often bring polyps under control if all other treatments have not been enough. For patients who have or have had nasal polyps, regular visits to the Charleston Sinus Center to visually check the sinuses with an endoscope is essential. Recurrences of nasal polyps can often be treated with additional medications alone, if caught early enough. As time goes on, we space visits to be less frequent for our patients who continue to have no signs of polyps at their follow up visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a candidate for sinus surgery?

Usually, when a person has undergone all of these medical treatments, but the symptoms have not gone away, it is because there is chronic inflammation in the bone of the sinuses and the mucosa has become so chronically swollen, that the openings to the sinuses remain closed off. So the goal with sinus surgery is to widely open up the sinuses. This allows air in, allows trapped infected mucus out, and allows nasal sprays and rinses to actually enter the sinuses and treat the chronically inflamed mucosa.

What is the success rate of a Sinus Surgery

Approximately 85% of patients experience lasting relief after sinus surgery, especially when combined with ongoing medical management.

What is the recovery time for a Sinus Surgery

Most patients feel significantly better within 2–3 weeks. Bleeding and congestion are normal during the first few days, but pain is usually less than expected. With proper rinsing and follow-up care, patients return to normal activity in about 2 weeks