Nasal polyps: a manifestation of allergy?

The cause of nasal polyps is speculative. In the 1930s nasal polyps were considered to be a manifestation of allergy. This theory was challenged in the 1970s. Many patients with nasal polyps have no identifiable allergic disease. The purpose of this study is to better define the relationship between allergy and nasal polyps. Twelve patients with nasal polyps were evaluated by history, physical examination, skin testing, nasal smear for eosinophils, specific IgE determination from serum, nasal secretions, and nasal polyp fluid. Similar data were collected from three control groups: (1) 10 patients with allergic rhinitis, (2) 10 patients with nonallergic rhinitis, and (3) 10 patients with no known nasal disease. By comparing the incidence of markers for allergic disease in patients with nasal polyposis to each of the three control groups, the role of allergic disease in nasal polyposis was delineated.