Nasal polyps in children

During the 1980-1995 period, 957 patients were admitted for nasal polyposis, 59 (6.2%) of them children. Results were analyzed with respect to localization of the polyps, allergy, histologic picture, bacteriologic tests, radiologic findings of paranasal sinuses, cytology of nasal mucosa, therapeutic approach, and tendency to relapse. Forty children (22 boys and 18 girls) were analyzed. Their mean age was 11.1 years. Unilateral polyposis was found in 29, and bilateral in 11 children. Antrochoanal polyps (ACP) were found in 30, bilateral nasal polyps in 5, polyps in maxillary sinus in 5, and allergy in 8 children. Inflammation of the maxillary sinus was present in 93% of children with ACP. Their correlation between ACP and inflammation in maxillary sinus suggested that edema of the sinus mucosa have led to protrusion through the ostium and formation of the nasal polyp.