Head and Neck Imaging

Inflammatory polyp

locally prolapsed mucosa, histologically corresponding to respiratory epithelium covering oedematous stroma. The pathogenesis is unclear; several aetiological factors have been proposed, such as infection, allergy and vasomotor disturbances. Inflammatory polyps may be present in the nose and/or paranasal sinuses. They appear as convex homogeneous structures on imaging, usually of a watery consistence. Radiologically, an inflammatory polyp cannot be differentiated from a mucous retention cyst. Larger polyps may mimic the appearance of an airfluid level head and neck. With increasing protein content, the signal intensity on T1-weighted images may become high.

Also, see sinonasal cavities polyposis, antrochoanal polyp, sphenochoanal polyp, angiomatous polyp.

RH