Egyptian Dynasties to Biologics: A Historical Review of Nasal Polyposis

The history of nasal polyposis originates even before Hippocrates described a nasal mass that he likened to a sea polyp. References to sinonasal disease and treatment can be found in ancient texts, such as the Ebers Papyrus and the Edwin Smith Papyrus of Ancient Egypt, as well as in the foundational texts of Ayurvedic medicine. Greek philosophers marked a significant shift away from the belief that illness was a result of divine intervention and embraced medical theory. Over the subsequent millennia, the understanding of nasal polyposis expanded, resulting in notable progress in surgical procedures and medical treatments. However, the complex pathophysiology of this condition remained enigmatic until breakthroughs in basic science and immunology. This historical journey takes us from the tomb of the first rhinologist in 2500 BC to the development of immune-modulating biologics.