Nasal Obstruction Flashcards
Epithelial types in the nose
psuedostratified,
ciliated,
glandular columnar
Causes of Nasal obstruction
Trauma infection inflammation neoplastic drugs occupational
Drug causes of nasal obstruction
Cocaine abuse/overuse
hormone use
Infectious causes of nasal obstruction
cold
rhinosinusitis
septal abscess
Neoplastic causes of nasal obstruction
inverting papilloma
Adenocarcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Traumatic causes of nasal obstruction
Fractures
septal haemotoma
surgical adhesions
cartilage deformaties
Occupational causes of nasal obstruction
industrial irritants
exposure to fungi/molds when immunocompromised
In cases of septal perforation
Autoantibody screen for hypersensitivity condtions or autoimmune disorders (Wegner’s)
Inflammatory causes of Nasal obstruction
rhinitis,
rhinosinusitis
adenoiditis
Wegner’s
Allergic rhinitis
due to airborne antigens, is generally seasonal
treat with allergen advice, nasal douching, topical steroid spray
Chronic rhinosinusitis
up to 10% of the population –> over 12 weeks of nasal blockage, discharge, facial pain, decreased sense of smell,
cause NK–> linked to asthma, may have polyps
Treat with douching, topical nasal steroids, low dose/long term macrolide (end in mycin) abx, polypectomy
Presentation of neoplastic nasal blockage
unilateral polyps, persistant epistaxis with lymphoadenopathy
Refer a blocked nose if
suspected malignancy
structural cause (performation, surgery, trauma)
inflammatory causes which havent responded to topical steroids
Treatment of acute airway obstruction
calm pt, refer to ENT/anesthetist, adrenaline neb (after 20mins) or steroids (after 30mins)
Stridor vs Stertor
Stridor is a high pitched wheezy noise on inspiration
Stertor is a low pitched snore like sound due to obstruction above the larynx
