Computed Tomography Study of Sinus Involvement in Ozena

Abstract

Atrophic rhinitis or ozena is a chronic nasal disease characterized by formation of foul smelling nasal crusts with subsequent turbinate mucosal atrophy and resorption of the underlying bone. This symptom complex involves nasal and sinus mucosa with resultant mucosal atrophy, as well as reduced or absent mucocilliary function. The question of the presence of sinusitis in ozena is yet unanswered. Mucosal atrophy may lead to widely patent sinus ostia, but it may well be that the nasal mucosal disease also involves the sinus mucosa with reduced ciliary motility and ensuing sinusitis. We have undertaken a prospective CT study of 11 ozena patients in order to define the occurrence of sinusitis in this entity. These studies, corroborated in part by nasal endoscopies, demonstrate a 70% ethmoid sinus involvement. The sphenoid, frontal, and maxillary sinuses are not usually involved. Other CT criteria of ozena are described.