Nasal polyposis--a multidisciplinary study.

Thirty-seven adults with nasal polyps were assessed in a multidisciplinary fashion. It was found that 43% of patients were allergic and 57% had asthma. Performing a polypectomy did not alter lower airway flow rates. Eosinophilia was prominent in nasal secretions of both atopics and nonatopics. Histological characteristics could not distinguish the "allergic" from the "inflammatory" polyp. Immunofluorescent studies indicated an abundance of polyp IgE leading to speculation of an IgE mediated process in polyp formation.