Nasal polyposis: unusual indication for tracheostomy.

A rare case of nasal polyposis requiring urgent tracheostomy is reported. A 70-year-old male presented to the hospital with stridor. He had a 10-year history of nasal obstruction. A large proliferative mass was found to be occupying both the nasal cavities. An emergency tracheostomy and biopsy of the lesion was performed. A computerized axial scan (CT) demonstrated that the lesion occupied the pharynx reaching up to the laryngeal inlet. To our knowledge this is the first case reported in the literature. Upper airway obstruction from nasal polyps is uncommon but can cause significant morbidity if not appropriately managed.