Antrochoanal Polyposis: A Review of 33 Cases

Abstract

We report on a series of 33 consecutive cases of antrochoanal polyp (ACP) treated by endoscopic sinus surgery over a five-year period. All but one patient was treated by endoscopic sinus surgery alone. This method of treatment was quite effective for ACPs. These 33 patients represent 22.3% of all nasal polyp patients on whom we operated during the same period. This incidence of ACP is greater than that generally reported in the literature. Some authors have attempted to distinguish ACPs from common nasal polyps primarily on the basis of morphology, histology, and the clinical behavior of the ACPs. In our series, a multivariate analysis, including histopathologic correlation, did not support the notion that ACPs are clearly distinct from common nasal polyps. Some interesting differences between the polyp groups did, however, become evident in our data analysis. Generally, ACPs are not thought to be associated with allergic disease; however, in our series we found the association of allergic disease with ACPs to be statistically significant (Chi-square=4.575, p<.05).

Antrochoanal autopolypectomy: CT findings

“…The obstruction of any component in osteomeatal unit may originate a negative pressure which favours the growth of the mass as far as the choana [1].…”

“…Some authors have reported that the appearance and distribution of the antrochoanal polyps were their only significant distinguishing features, and that there was no possible histological differentiation between a simple nasal polyp and antrochoanal polyp [1].…”

“…With the diffusion of functional endoscopic surgery and the use of CT for presurgical mapping, the number of reports of antrochoanal polyps has considerably increased [1]. Antrochoanal polyps are usually benign, solitary and unilateral lesions which arise in a maxillary sinus, expanding it without bone destruction.…”

Isolated sphenochoanal polyp: A rare clinical entity

“…Chronic sinusitis and chronic obstruction of the sinus ostia, as well as allergy have been suggested to play a role in the development of choanal polyps. 8 For descriptive purpose, clinicians divide them in to inflammatory and non-inflammatory with prevalence of the former. In our case it was histopathologically confirmed as inflammatory polyp.…”

“…SCP is treated surgically and endoscopic techniques are widely used for their removal. 8 We also preferred the endoscopic technique (Endoscopic transnasal sphenoidotomy) for the treatment of our patient. In order to prevent recurrence, we removed the intrasinusoidal cystic portion of choanal polyp completely along with the nasal part.…”