Question
Which one of the following regarding Nasal polyps is NOT true?
| A. |
Nasal polyps are very painful to touch
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| B. |
Simple polyps are bilateral
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| C. |
Bleeding polyp may indicate malignancy
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| D. |
Meningocele must be excluded in children with polyps
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Show Answer
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Correct Answer » A
Explanation
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Clinical Reasoning for the Correct Answer:
– Nasal polyps are benign, edematous outgrowths of the nasal mucosa.
– They are characteristically painless and soft to touch, due to lack of sensory nerve supply.
– Pain or tenderness would instead suggest acute sinusitis, neoplasm, or another inflammatory/infective process.
– Why Option A is Incorrect (i.e., NOT true):
– Nasal polyps are painless (not “very painful to touch”).
– Classic presentation: patient complains of nasal obstruction, anosmia, and a fleshy, non-tender mass.
– Why Option B is Correct:
– Simple (allergic) nasal polyps are usually bilateral.
– Unilateral polyps are rare and raise suspicion for alternative causes (e.g., antrochoanal polyp, neoplasm).
– Why Option C is Correct:
– Spontaneous bleeding from a nasal polyp may indicate underlying malignancy (e.g., sinonasal carcinoma).
– Benign polyps do not usually bleed unless traumatized.
– Why Option D is Correct:
– In children, it is essential to exclude meningocele/encephalocele before performing any surgical intervention on a nasal mass.
– Meningocele can present as a nasal polypoid mass but pulsates and may increase with crying.
