[The viral and allergic origin of nasal polyposis]

In spite of recent advances in basic science, the etiology and pathogenesis of nasal and paranasal polyps have still not been clarified. Well-defined causal factors are hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia. Allergic and non-allergic processes of the airways, particularly intrinsic asthma and intolerance to non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, are implicated in the development of nasal polyposis. In the 1930s nasal polyps were strongly considered to be a manifestation of allergy. The theory was challenged in the 1970s. Many patients with nasal polyps have no identifiable allergic disease. The cause of nasal polyps is speculative. 221 patients were included in this study, 154 suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis and another 46 from nasal polyps. The incidences of aspirin intolerance and of allergy were of no statistic relevance. The data indicate that preoperative cortisone application does improve the disease-free interval.