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Breast polyps are growths in the sinuses that can cause breathing difficulties and sinus infections. Causes include inflammation, allergies, and infections. Diagnosis is through visual examination or endoscopy. Treatment includes corticosteroids, antihistamines, and surgery. Early detection in children can indicate cystic fibrosis.
Breast polyps are growths or swollen tissue in the sinuses that can block breathing or make it difficult for the sinuses to drain. The causes of these growths are varied and usually include a fairly constant inflammation of the breast tissue, which could be the result of allergies, frequent viral and bacterial infections, or fungal infections. Some conditions, such as cystic fibrosis (CF), also tend to have a high incidence of breast polyps.
Small polyps in the nasal passages or other parts of the sinuses may not be noticed, and people may have few symptoms to suggest they are present. Other times, it might feel like a cold is constantly present, and symptoms might include a stuffy nose and runny down the back of the throat. Over time, if breast polyps increase in size and number, pain in the head and face may be common, and people may lose their sense of taste or smell and have difficulty snoring, even to the point of developing sleep apnea . A very large polyp can make breathing through the nose difficult, and in general, untreated polyps can lead to frequent sinus infections.
Diagnosis of breast polyps is usually achieved through one of two methods. Sometimes those that are close to the nasal opening can be visualized simply by looking at the nose with a lighted viewfinder. Alternatively, doctors might use a procedure called endoscopy. A tube that may have a tiny camera is inserted into the nose and the sinuses are viewed. This allows doctors to pinpoint the presence of several polyps if they exist.
Other tests may be done to diagnose polyps or their potential causes, and these include doing allergy tests and swabbing the nose for the presence of bacteria or fungi. Doctors may also want to do a computed tomography (CT) scan to look for large numbers of breast polyps and to make sure there are no other problems in the breasts such as cancerous tumors.
There are many potential treatments for breast polyps. These can include the use of nasal sprays that contain corticosteroids, such as budesonide and fluticasone, to reduce inflamed tissue. If the problem is severe, doctors may also consider giving oral corticosteroids to reduce swelling more quickly. If the polyps are due to allergic inflammation, doctors might prescribe antihistamines to reduce the allergic response. Other medications that might be used include those to treat fungal infections or bacterial infections.
Sometimes polyps are very large and require surgical removal. There are several ways to remove polyps, and most of the methods are outpatient procedures. However, if the underlying cause is not addressed, the benefits of surgery may be short-lived and new polyps may simply develop. When doctors propose surgery they also usually have a plan in place to try to prevent polyps in the future.
Breast polyps occur more often in adults. There is particular concern when they occur in very young children, as this may indicate cystic fibrosis. The symptoms of breast polyps in young children shouldn’t be ignored. If they are detected, doctors can perform a fairly simple test to look for cystic fibrosis. Early diagnosis of CF is tremendously beneficial, providing parents and doctors with the opportunity to provide the most cost-effective care to children suffering from this difficult disease.
