[Endoscopic approach in patients with choanal polyps].

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the results of endoscopic treatment for choanal polyps.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twelve patients (5 females, 7 males; mean age 25 years; range 10 to 49 years) underwent endoscopic surgery for choanal polyps. Preoperatively, all the patients were evaluated with endoscopic nasal cavity and nasopharyngeal examination and computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses. In addition, serum total and specific IgE levels were measured and prick test was performed. There were seven antrochoanal (58%), two ethmochoanal (17%), two sphenochoanal polyps, and one patient (8%) had a chonchachoanal polyp. Anterior ethmoidectomy and intranasal polypectomy were performed for ethmochoanal and sphenochoanal polyps, respectively. Two patients in whom antral part of the mucosa could not be clearly determined underwent transcanine sinoscopy. In all the patients, the mucosa giving rise to polyps was removed. Evaluations were made at one and six months and at the end of a year.

RESULTS

The most common symptoms were nasal obstruction (70%) and nasal discharge (52%). Allergic tests were positive in two patients with antrochoanal polyps. The only complication was mild bleeding in two patients. No recurrences were encountered within a year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic approach for choanal polyps can be applied at all ages and it is associated with low morbidity.