Human papillomavirus has been identified with DNA hybridization techniques in Schneiderian papillomas, though results reported in the literature have been conflicting. This study investigated 33 cases of Schneiderian papilloma (26 inverted papillomas, seven fungiform papillomas). In situ hybridization using a cocktail of human papillomavirus (HPV) probes 6/11, 16/18, 31/33/35 failed to identify HPV genome in any of the inverted papillomas. This is contrasted by the detection of HPV 6/11 in six of seven fungiform papillomas. Of the 26 cases of inverted papilloma, 10 had recurrences, five were associated with dysplasia, and two were associated with squamous cell carcinoma. Of the seven cases of fungiform papillomas, two had recurrences, and two were associated with dysplasia, but not malignancy was found. This study supports the concept that fungiform papilloma and inverted papilloma are two distinct lesions: the former is associated with HPV 6/11.