Abstract
Nasal polyposis represents a late stage of long-lasting inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa, characterized by increased inflammatory cells infiltration and anomalous tissue remodelling. A wide range of chemical mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, cell adhesion molecules are involved in the pathomechanism of nasal polyposis, but their significance has not been completely clarified.
Eosinophils are the dominant inflammatory cell population in nasal polyposis and are thought to be the central effector cells responsible for the onset and maintenance of the inflammatory process. Persistent inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa can lead to structural changes, such as epithelial damage, thickened basement membrane, stromal edema, formation of pseudocysts. This review summarizes prior and current knowledge regarding the involvement of the inflammatory process in the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis.