Unilateral nasal polyps and other sinonasal lesions: benign or malignant?

Sinonasal polyps are common benign inflammatory lesions that can be single or multiple. Unilateral sinonasal polyps and other unilateral lesions, whether polypoid or solid, should raise significant clinical concern as they are more likely to be malignant or premalignant compared with bilateral disease. Indeed, many clinicians advocate that all unilateral sinonasal masses be considered neoplastic until proven otherwise. This article discusses the differential diagnosis of unilateral sinonasal lesions, including polyps, and presents a framework for GPs to assess and manage patients who present with unilateral sinonasal lesions.