Inverted papillomas

Causes

Inverted papillomas are benign tissue changes of the nasal mucosa that grow into the underlying tissue – hence the name “inverted”. They are frequently associated with human papillomaviruses (HPV) and can recur after removal.

Symptoms

Typical signs are one-sided nasal obstruction, a runny nose, nosebleeds or a reduced sense of smell.

Diagnosis

Nasal endoscopy, imaging and taking a tissue sample establish the diagnosis. The tissue is examined thoroughly, because in a proportion of cases a malignant change can also be present.

Treatment options

Surgery:

Complete removal of the tissue, usually endoscopically through the nose, with image guidance when needed. The surrounding tissue is carefully assessed in order to capture the base of the change completely.

After the procedure

Regular follow-up examinations, because inverted papillomas can recur. In this way a recurrence is detected and treated early.