(http://www.metrohealth.org/)The above image shows an "empty nose" with the turbinates (nasal conchae) missing
What is Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS)?
ENS, also known as wide nasal cavity syndrome is a rare syndrome of chronic nasal impairment of over resection of the superior, middle, and inferior turbinates in the nose following surgery. Turbinates as we know them from class are actually the nasal conchae. This over resection leaves the nose dry all the time. Turbinates play a big role in our nasal cavity. The superior, middle, and inferior turbinates, or conchae combined, aid in the following: warm and moisten the air and provide humidity; blocks particulate matter; harbor cells of the olfactory system; provide surface area/airway resistance.
What are symptoms of ENS?
Symptoms include: the feeling that the nose is always congested; a feeling of suffocating; pain; crusting in the nose; mucosal dryness; drainage; difficulty in blowing the nose and difficulty sleeping; paradoxical breathing obstruction.
What are the treatment options?
Moisturization of the nasal passages is the number 1 thing to achieve for treatment. ENS can be treated both surgically and non-surgically. Non-surgical treatment options are geared to help maintain the current condition and keep the nasal passages moist. This can be done by using a saline based mist spray or gel. It also will help to sleep with a cool mist humidifier at night.
Surgical treatment can be done by narrowing back the enlarged nasal cavity by the use of different kinds of turbinate implants. With the help of treatment options, this will help restore normal nasal aerodynamics, humidification, heat regulation, filtration, and airflow sensation capacities.
References
Empty Nose Syndrome. (2010). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 18, 2010 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empty_nose_syndrome
Google image. (2009). Empty Nose Syndrome. Retrieved March 18, 2010 from
http://www.metrohealth.org/body.cfm?id=2277&otopID=967
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