© 2008 Newton and Ah-See, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd. This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, provided the original work is properly cited. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management 2008:4(2) 507–512

Abstract: Nasal polyps are common, affecting up to four percent of the population. Their etiology remains unclear, but they are known to have associations with allergy, asthma, infection, cystic fi brosis, and aspirin sensitivity. They present with nasal obstruction, anosmia, rhinorrhoea, post nasal drip, and less commonly facial pain. Clinical examination reveals single or multiple grey polypoid masses in the nasal cavity. Computerized tomography allows evaluation of the extent of the disease and is essential if surgical treatment is to be considered. Management of polyposis involves a combination of medical therapy and surgery. There is good evidence for the use of corticosteroids (systemic and topical) both as primary treatment and as postoperative prophylaxis against recurrence. Surgical treatment has been refi ned signifi cantly over the past twenty years with the advent of endoscopic sinus surgery and, in general, is reserved for cases refractory to medical treatment. Recurrence of the polyposis is common with severe disease recurring in up to ten percent of patients