(504) 309-8615

MON-FRI 8:00am-5:00pm

Nasal Polyp Treatment

According to the Allergy & Asthma Network, around 4% of Americans suffer from nasal polyps. Using his years of experience, board-certified Dr. Akash Anand of GNO Snoring & Sinus can help you find relief from your nasal polyps system. Learn more about GNO Snoring & Sinus‘s treatments in Metro New Orleans.

What Are the Types of Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are benign growths that appear on the lining of your sinuses or nasal passages. These growths are produced by chronic inflammation that can often cause blockage in your nasal passages, leading to breathing issues. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 20% of patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis will also develop nasal polyps. While nasal polyps can affect almost anyone, they are mostly found in adults.

There are two different types of nasal polyps:

Ethmoidal polyps

The most common type of nasal polyp, ethmoidal polyps develop from the ethmoidal sinuses located between the nose and eyes.

Antrochoanal polyps

Much less common, antrochoanal polyps develop in the maxillary sinuses located above the teeth and below the nose and cheeks.

Nasal Polyps Symptoms

While it’s possible to have chronic sinusitis without developing nasal polyps, the two are often associated. Because nasal polyps are soft and hard to feel, if they’re small, you may not even know you have any. Larger nasal polyps may block your sinuses and nasal passages, leading to uncomfortable symptoms. The most common symptoms of nasal polyps include:

  • A runny nose and\or persistent stuffiness
  • Postnasal drip
  • A decreased or absent sense of smell or taste
  • Facial pain or headache
  • Upper teeth pain
  • Snoring
  • Frequent nosebleeds

Nasal Polyps Treatments

Many patients who suffer from nasal polyps also suffer from significant allergies. This is why GNO Snoring & Sinus offers complete nasal testing as part of our checkup for nasal polyps. When treating nasal polyps, the goal is to reduce their size or eliminate them. Even after surgery, nasal polyps can still return. Patients who are suffering from nasal polyps may be a candidate for one of these treatment options that can be done at the GNO Snoring & Sinus office:

Dupixent injection

Inhibits interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13), two main contributors to the inflammatory response that causes the development of nasal polyps. Not only effective in reducing nasal polyps, the Dupixent® injection also lessens the need for multiple steroids and surgeries.

Steroid implants

Treats inflammation in the nasal polyps while mitigating the risks commonly associated with systemic steroid utilization. This steroid implant, eluding over time, aims to reduce scarring and polyps in the sinuses.

Sinus surgery (FESS)

Removes polyps and any other anatomic obstructions that impair adequate sinus drainage. This procedure aims to restore proper sinus ventilation and improve the natural clearance of sinus secretions.

Hybrid balloon sinuplasty

Utilizes a combination of balloon sinuplasty and sinus surgery (FESS) techniques to treat all four sinuses on each side of the face. This procedure targets the ethmoid sinus with sinus surgery and uses balloon sinuplasty on the maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses.

Image-guided sinus surgery

Employs image-guided procedures for patients with extensive polyp disease, as well as those who have previously undergone multiple sinus surgeries. Our in-office surgical technology is programmed to interact with your CT Scan of the Sinus, which allows for a safe and effective treatment.

Allergy Testing

Administered either as a skin test or a blood test and can be used to indicate your degree of allergy. The results of this maintenance treatment option aims to determine your eligibility for regular allergy shots that can help reduce the reoccurrence of your polyps.

Dr. Anand can help you figure out a treatment plan that best works for you and your unique circumstances.

New Patient Visits for Nasal Polyps

Initial Visit

During your initial visit at GNO Snoring & Sinus, Dr. Anand will review your symptoms and medical history to make an accurate diagnosis.

Workup

After Dr. Anand arrives at a presumptive diagnosis, he will perform a nasal endoscopy to visualize the nasal polyps and document the extent of the disease. Diagnostic imaging with a CT Scan of the sinus is also performed to assess the relationship of your polyps to your orbital and intracranial cavities. Lastly, allergy testing is performed to determine the extent of allergies causing your nasal polyps.

Treatment

After Dr. Anand and the GNO Snoring & Sinus team have arrived at an accurate diagnosis based on your clinical and diagnostic workup, medical or in-office treatment is discussed. For patients that have not undergone prior medical treatment, maximum medical therapy, including steroid sprays, oral steroids, saline irrigations, antibiotics, and allergy medications, may assist in symptomatic reduction. In cases where medications have not proven effective, office procedures, surgical intervention, and/or biologic therapy (Dupixent®) are discussed to achieve symptom relief and disease control.

Nasal Polyps FAQs

What are the most common symptoms associated with nasal polyps?
Many patients complain mostly of lack of smell and nasal congestion. These are hallmarks of nasal polyps.
I have had numerous surgeries and medications for my polyps, but they keep recurring. What are my options?
Dupixent® (Dupilumab) injection therapy is a biologic that is successful in treating cases of nasal polyps resistant to surgery and medical therapy. We have placed patients on this with excellent results.
How does Dupixent® injection therapy work?
Dupixent® (Dupilumab) is a biologic injection given every other week that acts as an inhibitor of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13), which are key drivers in the inflammatory response that causes nasal polyps to develop. It was approved for use in the summer of 2019 by the FDA for use in patients with polyps. See our press release for more information.
Will my polyps turn into cancer?
Nasal polyps are a benign growth that results from inflammation. They are not cancerous. However, there are other benign nasal growths, such as papillomas, that can turn malignant over time. They are usually unilateral in nature. A proper endoscopic exam can differentiate between both disorders.
How extensive is surgery for nasal polyps?
It depends on the extent of your polyps. Many procedures are performed in our office under local anesthesia. If your polyps are advanced, we utilize general anesthesia and image-guided surgery to remove your polyps in a safe, effective fashion.

Symptom Quiz

Click all symptoms you experience and complete the short form below to learn more about the possible treatment options for your condition.

Symptoms

Contact Approval

Contact the Team at GNO Snoring & Sinus

Dr. Anand is the leading authority in treating sleep and sinus disorders in Metro New Orleans. GNO Snoring & Sinus proudly accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and other private insurance options for all of our services. Save time and find your relief fast at GNO Snoring & Sinus, where we can do in one appointment what would take three appointments as a general ENT. Request an appointment today for help finding relief for your nasal polyps.