The following symptoms and complaints may indicate polyposis nasi (nasal polyps):
- Obstructed nasal breathing (stuffy nose; usually unilateral).
- Hypoosmia (decreased ability to smell).
Possible accompanying symptoms
- Bronchitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchi): cough.
- Pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat): throat pain.
- Laryngitis (laryngitis): hoarseness.
Warning signs (red flags)
- Unilateral nasal obstruction → think of: Antrochoanal polyp (maxillary sinus: maxillary sinus): usually unilateral and occurs singly; it grows through the maxillary sinus opening over a long style down into the nasopharynx; there it develops into a “true” polyp → surgery required
- Unilateral nasal obstruction: polyps (not pink- or gray-glazed, but bright red; bleed rapidly on examination/touching) + bleeding + possibly fetid (foul-smelling) secretion → think of: malignant neoplasm
