Nasal Polyp - Causes

Causes

The pathogenesis of nasal polyps is unknown. Nasal polyps are most commonly thought to be caused by allergy and rarely by cystic fibrosis although a significant number are associated with non-allergic adult asthma or no respiratory or allergic trigger that can be demonstrated.

These polyps have no relationship with colonic or uterine polyps. Irregular unilateral polyps particularly associated with pain or bleeding will require urgent investigation as they may represent an intranasal tumour.

There are various diseases associated with polyp formation:

1. Chronic rhinosinusitis
2. Asthma
3. Aspirin intolerance/salicylate sensitivity
4. Cystic fibrosis
5. Kartagener's syndrome
6. Young's syndrome
7. Churg-Strauss syndrome
8. Nasal mastocytosis

Exposure to some forms of chromium can cause nasal polyps and associated diseases.