[Does idiopathic naso-sinusal polyposis exist in children?].
Nasal polyposis, a rare disease in childhood, can present itself as an idiopathic disease. The aim of this study was to describe some of the clinical features of idiopathic nasal polyposis in children and to emphasize this condition as a specific clinical entity.


METHODS
The study was based on a retrospective analysis of 26 cases of idiopathic nasal polyposis that were studied to our department between 1979 and 1996. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to parents of which 20 were returned completed.


RESULTS
The clinical characteristics of idiopathic nasal polyposis in children (11 males and nine females; median: 12 years; range: 8-15 years) were very similar to those observed in adults (median: 50 years), in particular the relation to asthma (ten of 20 cases) and aspirin intolerance (two Fernand-Widal syndromes of 20 cases). Recurrent ENT infections during the maturing period of the immunological system (0-7 years) did not seem to play a role. There appeared, however, to be a strong genetic component as half of our cases had a family history of nasal polyposis and/or asthma.


CONCLUSIONS
Idiopathic nasal polyposis should be recognized as an entity among nasal polyps in childhood. Management of idiopathic and secondary nasal polyposis is however different. Although the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis is not well understood, the study of this disease in children leads one to suspect a genetic transmission.
Pialoux
R
R
Service d'ORL et de chirurgie cervicofaciale, hôpital central, Nancy, France.
Coffinet
L
L
Derelle
J
J
Jankowski
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D002217:Carbachol; D002648:Child; D018679:Cholinergic Agonists; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000187:drug effects; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018679:Cholinergic Agonists; D002217:Carbachol; D001241:Aspirin