Small bowel permeability in patients with nasal polyposis.

Small bowel absorption defects have been noted in a proportion of patients with atopic eczema. Eighteen patients with recurrent nasal polyps had the cellobiose/mannitol ratio test performed in order to assess their small bowel function. Evidence for atopy was found in 11 of 18 patients. Histologically the polyps were described as allergic but the cellobiose/mannitol ratio was normal in all cases. No evidence for a small bowel absorption defect was obtained.