Nasal Polyps Treatment in Sydney

Nasal polyps are soft, painless, non-cancerous growths that develop on the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses due to chronic inflammation. They can cause persistent nasal blockage, loss of smell, facial pressure and recurrent sinus infections when they grow large enough to obstruct normal sinus drainage.

Symptoms of Nasal Polyps

Small polyps may cause no symptoms at all. As they enlarge, patients typically notice:

• Persistent nasal congestion that does not respond to decongestants
• Reduced or complete loss of sense of smell (anosmia)
• Loss of taste
• Runny nose with clear or coloured discharge
• Post-nasal drip and throat irritation
• Facial pressure or dull headache
• Snoring and mouth breathing, especially at night
• Recurrent sinus infections

Causes and Risk Factors

Nasal polyps arise from chronic inflammation of the nasal and sinus mucosa. While anyone can develop polyps, they are more common in people with:

• Asthma: particularly eosinophilic asthma
• Allergic rhinitis: hay fever and environmental allergies
• Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD): also known as Samter's triad
• Cystic fibrosis: can present with nasal polyps in childhood
• Chronic sinusitis: ongoing sinus inflammation
• Family history: genetic predisposition plays a role

Nasal polyps are more common in adults over 40 and are twice as likely to affect men as women.

Diagnosis

Your ENT specialist will diagnose nasal polyps through:

Nasal endoscopy: A thin, flexible or rigid endoscope is passed into the nose to directly visualise polyps, assess their size and location, and evaluate the condition of the sinus openings.

CT scan: A CT of the sinuses shows the full extent of polyp disease, identifies involvement of deeper sinuses, and helps plan surgical intervention if required.

Allergy testing: Skin prick testing identifies allergic triggers that contribute to polyp formation and guides long-term management.

Blood tests: Eosinophil counts and IgE levels help classify the type of inflammation and determine eligibility for biologic therapy.

Treatment Options

Medical Therapy

First-line treatment includes intranasal corticosteroid sprays to shrink polyps and reduce inflammation, saline nasal irrigation to clear mucus, and short courses of oral corticosteroids for significant polyp burden. Antihistamines and leukotriene receptor antagonists may also be helpful when allergies contribute.

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Polypectomy

When medical therapy does not adequately control symptoms, endoscopic surgery removes polyps and opens blocked sinus pathways. Performed entirely through the nostrils under general anaesthesia, the procedure has no external cuts and most patients go home the same day. Our rhinology-trained surgeons: Dr Sivasubramaniam, Dr Zhang, Dr Ebenezer and Dr Ananda: use image-guided navigation for complex cases.

Biologic Therapy

For patients with severe or recurrent nasal polyps, particularly those with concurrent asthma, biologic medications like dupilumab target the specific inflammatory pathways that drive polyp growth. These therapies can dramatically shrink polyps and restore the sense of smell, and may reduce the need for further surgery.

When to See an ENT Specialist

Seek a referral to an ENT specialist if you have:

• Persistent nasal blockage not relieved by over-the-counter treatments
• Loss of smell lasting more than a few weeks
• Recurrent sinus infections requiring repeated antibiotics
• A one-sided nasal polyp or nasal mass (requires prompt assessment to exclude other pathology)
• Known polyps that are worsening despite steroid sprays

Related Conditions

• Chronic Sinusitis: nasal polyps and chronic sinusitis frequently coexist
• Allergic Rhinitis: allergic inflammation contributes to polyp formation
• Deviated Septum: may compound nasal obstruction alongside polyps