Error processing SSI file
Nasal polyps and surgery
Question
I have some sort of obstruction in my nose on the left side. Last week
I had a bad nosebleed. A doctor did a sinus CT scan and told me a large
nasal polyp is the problem and surgery is the only way to cure it I took
some medicine and nose drops, and after that my breathing problem subsided
but I'm still bleeding. The doctor suggested a biopsy.
Can the surgery be delayed for a couple of months? If it is delayed,
what complications might result? Can the surgery be done with local anesthesia?
Why is a biopsy required?
Answer
The "Mayo Clinic Health Book" has this to say about nasal polyps: "When
the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the nose swells and protrudes
into the nasal cavity, the swelling is known as a polyp. Polyps can be
caused by overproduction of fluid, sometimes the result of hay fever or
other nasal allergy."
Although more of a nuisance than a serious problem, polyps can cause
recurrent sinus infections, breathing difficulty and bleeding. How soon
you have them treated would depend on how much discomfort they are causing
you and the advice of your doctor. A biopsy is performed to make sure they
are not cancerous. The surgery probably would be done under local anesthesia,
as would the biopsy.
Error processing SSI file