Topical treatment of nasal polyps with a beclomethasone dipropionate powder preparation

The clinical efficacy of a topical preparation consisting of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) powder and a mucous membrane adhesive agent (hydroxypropylcellulose, HPC) for nasal polyps was examined. For 1 week, in 31 patients with bilateral nasal polyposis, the clinical efficacy of the topical BDP–HPC powder treatment was examined. The effect of this treatment on the histology of the nasal polyps was also investigated. The controls were six patients with bilateral nasal polyposis, who underwent identical surgery without prior use of the topical steroid therapy. Polyp shrinkage and improvement of some nasal symptoms (rhinorrhea, ease of noseblowing, and nasal blockage) were observed with the topical treatment. Significant clinical improvement (P<0.05) was seen in the group treated with topical BDP–HPC powder compared with the untreated control group. Histological examination of the excised nasal polyps in both groups demonstrated no clear differences attributable to BDP–HPC powder. The topical treatment of nasal polyps with BDP–HPC powder is a useful conservative therapy.