Is routine histological examination of nasal polyps justified?
This study aims to assess the indications for histological examination of polypoid lesions removed from the nose. To achieve this we have performed a national survey of consultant ENT surgeons and reviewed 2866 nasal polypectomy operations. The operations were performed between 1982 and 1988 in the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford and the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle. One hundred and fifty questionnaires were sent to randomly selected ENT consultants in the United Kingdom. One hundred and seventeen were returned completed (return rate 78%). The questionnaire asked whether or not the surgeon sent all polyps for examination and, if not, what his indications were for so doing. A retrospective review of all nasal polypectomy operations at the two hospitals was performed. The questionnaire revealed that 38% of the surgeons who replied sent all nasal polyps for examination and 62% did not. The commonest indications for requesting histology were unilateral polyps, abnormal appearance and a history
