antrochoanal polyp

The antrochoanal polyp, a benign solitary polypoid lesion, usually arises in a maxillary sinus, opacifying and enlarging the sinus cavity without bone destruction.

It passes through the ostium of the sinus into the choana, and from there into the posterior nasopharynx. The soft tissue mass does not erode or destroy contiguous soft tissue or bony structures.

The antrochoanal polyp, usually a solitary benign growth, arises from the maxillary antrum of a nonatopic patient.

It grows by extension from the antrum through its ostium into the middle meatus, then into the posterior choana and may extend into the nasopharynx.

Antrochoanal polyps are known to otolaryngologists and have been frequently reported in the otolaryngologic literature after Killian’s excellent description in 1906.

Grossly the antrochoanal polyp is a large, solitary, gray-white, smooth polyp with a stalk of variable length.

Both the antrochoanal polyp and nasal polyps are myxoid and both are lined by ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium, the characteristic mucosa of nasal
passages and paranasal chambers.

Reports indicate that the histology of antrochoanal polyp does not differ substantially from that of the nasal polyp.

Antrochoanal polyp was less likely to contain eosinophils and mucus glands. The
latter may be a function of local differences in density of mucus glands, but the disparity in content of eosinophils suggests differing pathogenesis.

Hyperplasia of surface epithelium is more prominent in antrochoanal
polyp.

See also

 nasal inflammatory pseudopolyp