Nasal polyps in the pediatric population.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps is an uncommon pathology in the pediatric population and may be associated with systemic disease. In this study we aimed to characterize children who underwent nasal surgery at our medical center due to nasal polyps and review the current literature related to pediatric nasal polyps.

STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed all medical records of patients younger than 18 years who had sinus surgery from 2000 to 2010. We collected demographic and clinical data including age, sex, laterality, revision operations, and comorbidities including asthma, allergy, and cystic fibrosis (CF).

RESULTS: Thirty-one patients age 8.8 to 18 years (mean 13.7) were treated surgically in our hospital. Thirteen had antrochoanal polyp, 16 had chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps, and 2 had mucocele. Among patients treated for nasal polyps, there were 6 boys and 10 girls, mean age was 14.2 years, and 14 (87.5%) had bilateral disease. Mean Lund McKay score was 15.8. Five (31.2%) had asthma, 15 (93.7%) had sleep breathing disorder, and none had known allergy. Three patients (18.7%) had more than one surgery, including one patient with CF. Nine healthy children were tested for CF; one was positive.

CONCLUSIONS: Nasal polyps in children are more common in teenagers, are usually bilateral, and are commonly associated with bronchial asthma. There was no association with allergy. Meticulous anamnesis and a high index of suspicion are recommended to manage other comorbidities.