Symptoms and Diagnosis

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) can cause a variety of symptoms.^1-4 You don’t need to experience all these symptoms to receive a diagnosis of CRSwNP^,3,4. Common CRSwNP symptoms include:

Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Facial pain, facial pressure, or a feeling of “fullness” of the face
Decreased or loss of sense of smell
Headache
Fatigue^1,2
Snoring⁵

CRSwNP symptoms can be triggered by anything that causes irrigation to the nasal passages⁵. This includes tobacco smoke, strong smells, chemicals, allergens, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin.⁵

Patients with CRSwNP commonly report that these symptoms reduce their quality of life². For example, CRSwNP symptoms can lead to sleep disruption, fatigue, anxiety, and depression⁶. Additionally, CRSwNP symptoms can impact concentration, productivity, and the ability to fully participate in work and recreational activities.⁶

A diagnosis of CRSwNP is based on your symptoms, a physical exam, and testing to confirm the presence of nasal polyps.³ These tests include a nasal endoscopy or a computerized tomography (CT) scan.¹ Additional testing may be needed to confirm that your symptoms are not caused by a different condition, such as allergies^2,3,4.

During a nasal endoscopy, your doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope into the nasal passage¹. Attached to the endoscope is a light and camera that allows the doctor to see inside the nose and sinuses;¹If a nasal endoscopy is not possible or the result is unclear, a CT scan is an alternate option for imaging.^1,4

References

Buccheit K. Patient education: Chronic rhinosinusitis (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-rhinosinusitis-beyond-the-basics
Bachert C, Bhattacharyya N, Desrosiers M, Khan AH. Burden of disease in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. J Asthma Allergy. 2021;14:127-134.
Orlandi RR, Kingdom TT, Smith TL, et al. International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: Rhinosinusitis 2021. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2021;11:213-739.
Buccheit K, Holbrook E. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis: Management and prognosis. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-rhinosinusitis-with-nasal-polyposis-management-and-prognosis
What is Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)? Allergy and Asthma Network. https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/chronic-rhinosinusitis-with-nasal-polyps-crswnp/
Mullol J, Azar A, Buchheit KM, Hopkins C, Bernstein JA. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: Quality of life in the biologics era. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022;10:1434-1453.e9.
Otorhinolaryngology department in hospital. Nasal endoscopy. iStock by Getty Images. https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/otorhinolaryngology-department-in-hospital-nasal-endoscopy-gm487194346-73240635
ENT photo gallery. UTHealth Tyler. https://uthealthtylerhospital.com/services/ear-nose-and-throat/ent-photo-gallery#nose
Bachert C, Marple B, Schlosser RJ et al. Adult chronic rhinosinusitis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6:86.