Paediatric traffic accident and obstructive sleep apnoea by antrochoanal polyps: case report and literature review

Antrochoanal polyps are hyperplasias of the nasal mucosa, which have their origin in the maxillary sinus and extend through the nasal cavity and the choanae into the naso- and oropharynx. In children antrochoanal polyps represent one of the more frequent manifestations of paediatric nasal polyposis. Most studies on antrochoanal polyps in children report only on nasal obstruction, hyponasal speech and snoring, which are also encountered in the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome; i.e. adenoid or tonsillar hyperplasia. Only very few studies report on additional health hazards by antrochoanal polyps ranging from obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome to swallowing disorders and cachexia.We present the case of an 8 year old girl with a bicycle accident caused by excessive daytime sleepiness and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome due to an extensive antrochoanal polyp. After a transnasal polypectomy and meatotomy type II the obstructive sleep apnoea and day time sleepiness resolved completely.Awareness of this additional health hazard is important and correct evaluation and timely diagnosis of a potential antrochoanal polyp is mandatory because minimally invasive rhinosurgery is highly curative in preventing further impending problems.     

Sphenochoanal polyp: endoscopic surgery

Sphenochoanal polyp is a rare entity originating from sphenoid sinus. It may be confused with antrochoanal polyp on anterior rhinoscopy because of its similar appearance. Computerized tomography and nasal endoscopy have contributed to an increase of accuracy in the diagnosis of these masses. Simple polypectomy that leaves some part of the polyp inside the sphenoid sinus carries a high risk of recurrence. Destructive external approaches to gain access to the sphenoid sinus are also not advisable in children for a benign disease. We present two cases of sphenochoanal polyps in two children that were operated by endonasal endoscopic approach. They were free of symptoms after surgery. No complications and recurrences were observed at 28 and 18 months of follow-up periods respectively.     

Cholesterol granulomas in antrochoanal polyps: a clinicopathologic study

The purpose of this study was to investigate antrochoanal polyps with cholesterol granuloma (CG), which is a granulomatous reaction to cholesterol crystals that has been precipitated in the tissue. It is usually associated with chronic middle ear disease, common in the mastoid air cells, less common in the orbit and rarely found in the paranasal sinuses. The aim of this study was to analyze the etiology and pathological findings of antrochoanal polyps associated with cholesterol granuloma. This is a retrospective study of five cases of antrochoanal polyp with cholesterol granuloma, (four males and one female between 15 and 77 years of age) who presented with nasal obstruction, rhinorhea and snoring. The cases were clinically and histologically reviewed. Four patients were treated endoscopically and one by intranasal polypectomy without endoscope. There was no recurrence during the follow-up between 24 to 36 months (mean 31.2 months). Five uncommon cases with antrochoanal polyp with cholesterol granuloma are presented. The cholesterol granulomas consist of fibrous granulation tissue containing cholesterol crystals with surrounding foreign body giant cells. The pathogenesis of antrochoanal polyp with cholesterol granuloma is unclear, and further investigations are needed.     

Choanal polyp originated from the inferior nasal concha

Almost all choanal polyps originate from the maxillary sinus and a choanal polyp (CP) originating from the inferior nasal concha (INC) is a rare entity. It presents in a similar manner to the more common antrochoanal polyp and may be confused on anterior rhinoscopy. In this report, an unusual case of a CP taking origin from the INC that was removed by endoscopic endonasal surgery in a young man is presented. No intraoperative or postoperative complication occured, and the symptoms immediately resolved after the operation. Although very rare, CPs arising from the INC should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of a solitary nasal polyp.     

Antrochoanal polyps in children.

Although relatively rare, antrochoanal polyps represent one of the most common types of polyp diagnosed in children without cystic fibrosis. In an attempt to better define this entity and discuss treatment options, the histories and operative reports of all 25 children (aged 17 years and younger) diagnosed with an antrochoanal polyp between 1970 and 1997 at our institution were reviewed. All 25 children complained of nasal obstruction on presentation; other presenting symptoms included rhinorrhea (48%), snoring (36%), and mouth breathing (32%). All 25 patients were noted to have a mass in the nose on examination, and 16 (64%) also had a mass noted in the nasopharynx. All but 1 patient underwent surgical removal of the polyp: intranasal avulsion only, 2 patients; Caldwell-Luc procedures, 10 patients; intranasal procedures, 8 patients; and endoscopic procedures, 4 patients. Mean time to first recurrence was 44.5 months. Seven patients (29%) who underwent excision at our institution experienced recurrence, 3 after endoscopic procedures and 4 after intranasal procedures (with or without Caldwell-Luc; 1 of these patients had a second recurrence). Complications were unusual and included bleeding after pack removal (8.3%) and facial paresthesias (10%). Follow-up ranged from 2 days to almost 27 years and was aided by telephone interviews. We conclude that surgical treatment of these lesions is safe and effective. Endoscopic removal may result in a higher recurrence rate.     

Intractable pediatric chronic sinusitis with antrochoanal polyp

It has been reported that pediatric chronic sinusitis with antrochoanal polyp is difficult to cure because it tends to recur easily even with surgery. Therefore, in order to improve its cure rate, aggressive treatment combining polypectomy, intra-maxillary intubation through the inferior meatus, macrolide administration, etc., was attempted. Thirty-seven sides of pediatric chronic sinusitis with antrochoanal polyp and 44 sides of chronic sinusitis without polyp were evaluated after the same treatments. The mean age of patients was 9.7 years, and the mean intubation period was 20 months. Since subjective improvements in children are questionable, the efficacy was evaluated strictly on the basis of X-ray alone focusing on the maxillary sinus. Twenty-four percent of the group with antrochoanal polyp showed 'excellent' effect, i.e. almost complete resolution of the sinus findings, while 45% of the group without polyp showed 'excellent' effect, with a mean follow-up period of 3 years and 6 months. This difference was significant (P<0. 01, chi(2)-test). These results further document the intractableness of chronic sinusitis with choanal polyp in children.     

Antrochoanal polyps and allergy—A comparative study

Antrochoanal polyps, are solitary polyps arising from the maxillary autrum. Their aetiology largely remains unknown; allergy has been implicated. The study attempts to define the relation between antrochoanal polyps and allergy and the need for such an investigation by studying 24 cases with antrochoanal polyps and comparing them with 20 cases of sinonasal polyps. Nasal smear cytology, serum total IgE and polyp fluid IgE was evaluated. 52.38% of cases turned out to be allergic. In their presentation, antrochoanal polyps do not significantly differ from other polyps.     

Case report of a mass that mimicked an antrochoanal polyp.

We describe the case of a patient who was originally diagnosed with an antrochoanal polyp. During avulsion of the mass by endoscopic polypectomy, it was discovered that the stalk of the polyp actually arose from the mucosa of the right superior turbinate rather than from the mucosa of the maxillary antrum. A diagnosis of choanal polyp was made.     

Bilateral antrochoanal polyps originated from inferior meatal antrostomies

We present the first reported case of simultaneously occurring bilateral antrochoanal polyps in a 49-year-old female patient, originated from previously performed inferior antrostomies as a treatment for chronic maxillary sinusitis. The antrochoanal polyps were removed by endoscopic surgery with combined approach through the inferior and middle meatal antrostomies. Microscopic analysis of the specimens showed benign inflammatory antrochoanal polyps. Follow-up appointment 6 months postoperatively showed patent antrostomies and no recurrence of the disease. Endoscopic treatment with middle meatal antrostomy is the recommended technique in most cases of antrochoanal polyps as the greater portion of the antral part of the polyp can be removed with the healthy antral mucosa left intact promoting epithelialization and mucociliary clearance of the antrum. Inferior antrostomy can be an additional part of the operation in selected cases.     

Bilateral antrochoanal polyps

An extremely rare case of bilateral antrochoanal polyp in an otherwise fit 12-year-old girl is reported. The antrochoanal polyps were removed by bilateral Caldwell-Luc operation. Histopathological examination showed them to be of benign inflammatory nature.     

Choanal and angiomatous polyps of the sinonasal tract.

Choanal and angiomatous polyps can be distinguished from ordinary sinonasal polyps by either a distinctive clinical presentation (choanal) or the histopathologic appearance (angiomatous). Nearly all choanal polyps arise within paranasal sinuses, with the antrochoanal polyp the most common. The angiomatous polyp is most often a secondary change in a choanal polyp and can be mistaken for vascular neoplasms, eg, angiofibroma.     

Endoscopic transnasal surgery in antrochoanal polyp

The current treatment of antrochoanal polyp is simple avulsion of the nasal part with or without removal of the antral part. The antral part is removed through a Caldwell-Luc antrostomy, inferior meatal antrostomy, or middle meatal antrostomy. In this study, endoscopic surgery was performed in 22 cases of antrochoanal polyps where the antral part was removed through the middle meatus. Two new instruments were designed to help complete removal of the antral part of the polyp through the maxillary ostium. Some points of controversy concerning the antrochoanal polyp are discussed according to the diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic findings. Endoscopic follow-up of these cases for periods ranging between 6 and 30 months, with an average of 20 months, showed no recurrence. It was concluded that endoscopic surgery of the antrochoanal polyp through the middle meatus could be performed as an outpatient procedure, and is safe and reliable.     

Dyspnea and dysphagia in a child due to an antrochoanal polyp

A 3-year-old girl with complaints of dyspnea and dysphagia due to a huge antrochoanal polyp is presented. On examination of the left nostril a huge polyp occupying whole of the nostril was seen with mucoid discharge. It was so huge that it was reaching the laryngopharynx and causing dyspnea and dysphagia (11 cm in length and 3 cm in diameter). The tracheostomy was avoided by performing an emergency polypectomy.     

Antrochoanal polyp-a cause of obstructive sleep apnoea in children

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is a well established entity which has received much attention in the recent past. In children the commonest cause of sleep apnoea is adenotonsillar hypertrophy. We report two cases of antrochoanal polyp in children who presented with symptoms consistent with sleep apnoea. Preoperative polysomnography was performed in these cases which confirmed the diagnosis of sleep apnoea. Under general anaesthesia both children underwent polypectomy with middle meatal antrostomy Post operatively the patients were put on steroid nasal spray for 2 weeks. Repeat polysomnograpy performed four weeks following surgery revealed reversal ot disturbed sleep patterns.     

Simultaneous antrochoanal and sphenochoanal polyps: a rare clinical entity

Choanal polyps almost always appear as solitary growths and most commonly arise from the maxillary sinus. Sphenochoanal and ethmoidochoanal polyps are extremely rare. Co-existence of more than one choanal polyp is even more infrequent. We present a patient with an antrochoanal and an accompanying sphenochoanal polyp for the first time in the literature. We discuss the clinical presentation, pathogenesis and surgical management of this rare clinical entity.     

Sphenochoanal polyp presenting with concomitant nasal polyps

A sphenochoanal polyp is a rare lesion that originates in the sphenoid sinus. It occurs most often in adolescents and young adults. We present what to the best of our knowledge is the first reported case of a sphenochoanal polyp associated with concomitant nasal polyps. The patient was a 54-year-old man who presented with bilateral nasal obstruction, possible obstructive sleep apnea, and an altered voice, all of which had likely been caused by the presence of a massive left sphenochoanal polyp and bilateral grade III anterior and posterior ethmoid polyps. Because the patient had dilated cardiomyopathy, he was not a good candidate for general anesthesia. Therefore, the polyps were removed endoscopically under local anesthesia. The sphenochoanal polyp measured 7.5 cm in its greatest dimension and weighed 41 g. The patient remained symptom-free at the 1-year follow-up. The presentation of a sphenochoanal polyp is similar to that of the more common antrochoanal polyp, but the two can usually be differentiated on computed tomography. Endoscopic sinus surgery allows for complete removal of the polyp, including its site of origin, which minimizes the risk of recurrence.     

Regression of a sphenochoanal polyp in a child

OBJECTIVES: To present an unusual case of a sphenochoanal polyp that regressed and review the etiology of such polyps in comparison to the commoner antrochoanal polyp. STUDY DESIGN: Case study. METHODS: One was incidentally discovered in a girl aged 3 years, 8 months at postnasal mirror examination after adenotonsillectomy. RESULTS: Computed tomography scans 1 month later confirmed the polyp, but three months later, MRI scans only revealed sphenoid sinus opacification. Sphenoidotomy revealed normal sinuses implying inflammation had resolved. CONCLUSION: This patient is believed to be the youngest reported to have sphenochoanal polyp, and the only one where the polyp had completely regressed. This regression suggests that sphenochoanal polyps may be more common than is thought but are mostly asymptomatic.     

Evaluation of clinical features of antrochoanal polyps

Current knowledge on the prevalence and clinical features of antrochoanal polyps (ACPs), benign lesions arising in the maxillary sinus and extending into the choana, is very limited in Japan. We prospectively evaluated prevalence and clinical features in 15 subjects with ACPs from among 728 undergoing endoscopic endonasal sinus surgery between April 2007 and March 2008, and prospectively enrolled in this study. The 15 subjects, who accounted for 2.1% of the total, had nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and postnasal drip. Symptoms significantly reduced postoperatively. Maxillary-sinus-origin ACP distribution was 40% from the maxillary sinus floor to the posterior wall, 26.7% from maxillary sinus floor, and 20% from the maxillary sinus floor to the internal wall. Postoperative recurrence was 13.3%. Endoscopic endonasal sinus surgery for ACPs was most effective for polyp is originating in the maxillary sinus determined carefully and excised as completely as possible, followed by appropriate postoperative treatment.     

Choanal polyps: an evaluation of 53 cases

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience on the diagnosis and treatment of choanal polyps (CP). METHODS: This study consists of 53 patients with CP diagnosed by means of rhinoscopy, nasal endoscopy, computerized tomography, surgical, and histologic findings between 1996 and 2005. RESULTS: The origins of the CPs were the unilateral maxillary sinus in 47 patients, simultaneously bilateral maxillary sinus in 2 patients, septum in 2 patients, sphenoid sinus in I patient, anterior ethmoid sinus in 1 patient. The most common presenting symptoms were unilateral nasal obstruction, snoring, and rhinorrhea. In the cases of the antrochoanal polyps, the most common preoperative radiological finding was the total opacification of the maxillary sinus. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic approach for complete removal of the CPs is an extremely safe and effective procedure. It should be focused on the detection of the exact origin and the extent of the polyp to prevent recurrence.