Atrophic rhinitis, also called ozena or empty nose syndrome is a rare chronic disease characterized by a progressive atrophy of the nasal mucosa with resorption of the underlying cartilage/bone 1,2, usually seen in young women of a low socioeconomic level with unhygienic conditions 2,3.
It is caused by Klebsiella ozaenae 3. Often patients present with a history of chronic nasal discharge with a fetid odor which could progress to destruction of the nasal bones and anosmia in late stage 1. On imaging, the main features are 1,2,3:
atrophy of the turbinates as well as the bony turbinates
enlarged nasal cavities with bowing of the lateral nasal walls
hypoplasia of the paranasal sinuses with mucoperiosteal thickening
loss of definition of the ostiomeatal complex due to resorption of the uncinate process and ethmoid bulla
Additional contributor: Z.E Boudiaf, MD, CIM Aurès, Batna, Algeria