Epithelial Squamous Metaplasia and Dysplasia in Inflammatory Nasal Polyps: An Observational Study.

Nasal polyposis (NP) is characterized by polypoid outgrowths of chronically inflamed respiratory mucosa. The presence of squamous metaplasia and dysplasia on the mucosal surface of nasal polyps (NPs) represents different manifestations of epithelial atypia. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the presence of epithelial squamous metaplasia and dysplasia in ethmoidal NPs. This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data involved 212 patients with NP undergoing endoscopic ethmoidectomy. To evaluate possible etiological factors for epithelial atypia, the patients in whom we histopathologically detected the presence of epithelial atypia were compared with patients with "normal" NPs in accordance with the following characteristics as found in the patients' medical records: gender, age, main symptoms, preoperative extent of sinus disease on computed tomography, atopic status, aspirin sensitivity, cigarette smoking, and occupational exposure to different noxious factors. Epithelial atypia were detected histopathologically in 44 (20.7%) NP patients, whereas features of "true" dysplasia were found in only 1 (0.5%) patient. The presence of atypia was more frequent in males than in females (P = .008). The association with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease and with long-term occupational exposure to different noxious chemicals, especially in workers exposed to salts of heavy metals, was more frequent in NP patients with epithelial atypia than in patients without atypia (P = .023; P = .006, respectively). Our results suggest epithelial atypia in NPs are associated with aspirin sensitivity and occupational exposure to different noxious chemicals. Although extremely rare, epithelial dysplasia may occasionally be noted in NPs, a fact potentially useful for both rhinologists and pathologists.

Fibroepithelial Polyp Originating from the Nasal Septum.

Fibroepithelial polyp (FEP) is a rare clinical condition of mesodermal origin, covered usually by squamous epithelium, originating most frequently from the skin, genitourinary and lower respiratory tract. Upper airway FEP is a rare lesion found usually in the pharynx and larynx. Only three cases of FEP arising from the nasal mucosa were reported in the world literature, all from the inferior nasal turbinate. In this paper, we describe the first case in the literature of a FEP originating from the nasal septum in a patient suffering from perennial allergic rhinitis. In addition, we discussed the etiology, pathogenesis, histopathological and clinical characteristics of FEPs.

Choanal polyps in children and adults: 10-year experience from a tertiary care hospital.

PURPOSE: Choanal polyps (CPs) are benign, solitary, soft-tissue lesions extending towards the junction between the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx through the choana. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate clinical and histological characteristics of CPs in children comparing to adult patients. METHODS: Characteristics of CPs treated in our hospital (demography, main complaints, side, localization, surgical approach, histological characteristics, accompanying paranasal sinus diseases, association with allergic rhinitis, postoperative follow-up period, and recurrence rates) were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients with CPs were included, 22 (28%) patients in children and 56 (72%) patients in adults. We found no differences in the prevalence of main nasal complaints (nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, snoring, and epistaxis) between the child and adult. In 27% children and in 7% adults, we found the oropharyngeal extension of CPs (p < 0.01). In 18% children and in 5.3% adults, we found the histological characteristics of an angiomatous CP (p < 0.05). The association with allergic rhinitis was more frequent in children (32%) than in adults (18%) (p < 0.05). In 32% pediatric patients and in 14% adult patients, we found the association with ipsilateral chronic maxillary rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) (p < 0.05). After the surgical treatment, we found the recurrence in 3 (14%) pediatric and in 5 (8%) adult patients, without the significant difference. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest some specificities of CPs in children comparing to adults. Oropharyngeal extension, association with allergic rhinitis and ipsilateral CRS, and the presence of angiomatous histological type of CPs are more frequent in the pediatric population.