Atrophic Rhinitis - Empty Nose Syndrome: A Clinical, Endoscopic and Radiological Entity

Atrophic Rhinitis - Empty Nose Syndrome: A Clinical, Endoscopic and Radiological Entity

Background: Atrophic rhinitis results from progressive atrophy of the nasal mucosa and underlying bone. Empty nose syndrome is often described as post-turbinectomy iatrogenic atrophic rhinitis. For some authors a distinction should be drawn between these two conditions.

Purpose: The aim of this article is to review the literature (PubMed, EMBASE, Google: Atrophic Rhinitis, Ozaena, Empty Nose Syndrome) and to present a representative series of 21 cases of the two conditions in a compressed overview.

Clinical, endoscopic, radiological features: The clinical symptoms include nasal obstruction, epistaxis, impaired olfaction, purulence and crusting. Endoscopy and computed tomography show mucosal and osteochondral modifications with an enlargement of the nasal cavities up to the choanae.

Aetiologies: By combining the results of clinical, endoscopic, imaging and additional investigations if necessary, it may be possible to differentiate between primary or idiopathic forms and secondary forms of atrophic rhinitis to optimize diagnostic work-up and patient management.