Computed Tomographic Evaluations in Patients with Empty Nose Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate computed tomography (CT) images of patients with empty nose syndrome (ENS), investigate the impact of reconstruction surgery on sinus inflammation, and identify the optimal airspace diameter after surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective case series analysis, identifying and enrolling patients with ENS with perioperative CT findings. The clinical characteristics of the participants were collected, and the modified Lund-Mackay (mLM) CT scores were determined. The anterior airspace diameter was evaluated by measuring the distance between the septum and the lateral nasal wall on the coronal plane at the level of the nasolacrimal duct.

RESULTS

Twenty patients with ENS and perioperative CT images were enrolled. The mean total mLM CT score and all subsite scores showed no significant changes after surgery. The Empty Nose Syndrome 6-item Questionnaire (ENS6Q) score, Sino-nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25) score, sleep symptoms domain, psychological domain, and empty nose symptoms domain were significantly associated with anterior airspace diameter in the regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference in sinus inflammation between preoperative and postoperative CT evaluations. The anterior airspace diameters were significantly associated with ENS6Q and SNOT-25 scores.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 134:2105-2110, 2024.

Functional Exercise Capacity and Perceived Exertion in Patients with Empty Nose Syndrome

Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a complex condition characterized by symptoms such as dyspnea, nasal discomfort, and emotional challenges. This study aimed to evaluate functional exercise capacity and perceived exertion in patients with ENS. Patients with ENS who presented with a range of severe symptoms were prospectively enrolled. Pulmonary function was evaluated using spirometry, and functional exercise capacity was measured via the 6 min walk test (6-MWT). Perceived exertion was quantified using the Borg scale, and cardiopulmonary function was evaluated by monitoring peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2). These parameters were assessed before and after nasal reconstruction surgery. A total of 44 patients with ENS were enrolled and classified into mild-to-moderate (n = 20) and severe (n = 24) symptom groups. Spirometry results showed no significant differences before and after surgery in the entire cohort. Perceived exertion showed significant postoperative improvement (p = 0.006). The severe ENS symptom group experienced significant improvement in SpO2 (p = 0.013) and perceived exertion (p = 0.002) at the end of the 6-MWT after surgery. Surgical intervention significantly enhanced functional exercise capacity (p = 0.038) in patients with mild-to-moderate ENS symptoms. Surgical reconstruction positively affected perceived exertion and SpO2 at the end of the 6-MWT in patients with ENS. The severity of ENS symptoms, as assessed by SNOT-25 scores, influenced these outcomes. These findings underscore the potential benefits of surgical intervention for enhancing exercise tolerance and respiratory efficiency.

Identifying Residual Psychological Symptoms after Nasal Reconstruction Surgery in Patients with Empty Nose Syndrome

Background: Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a syndrome of paradoxical nasal obstruction that is thought to be mostly caused by inappropriate turbinate procedures. This study aimed to investigate depression- and anxiety-associated psychological symptoms in patients with ENS before and after surgical reconstruction, and to compare them with those of control subjects. Methods: Patients with ENS were prospectively enrolled. The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25), Empty Nose Syndrome 6-item questionnaire (ENS6Q), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used to evaluate the participants before and after reconstruction surgery with submucosal Medpor implantation (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI), as well as control subjects at enrollment. Results: Forty patients with ENS and forty age- and sex-matched controls were recruited. Patients with ENS experienced significant improvement in SNOT-25, ENS6Q, BDI-II, and BAI scores after surgery, but all were significantly greater than those in the control group. Nine patients with ENS (22.5%) had postoperative residual psychological symptoms. Preoperative BDI-II and BAI scores were significant predictors of postoperative residual psychological symptoms. The optimal cut-off value was BDI-II > 28.5 (sensitivity, 77.8%; specificity, 77.4%) in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Conclusions: The nasal and psychological evaluations in patients with ENS significantly improved after nasal reconstruction surgery, but both were significantly greater than those in the control group. Identifying individuals who may experience postoperative residual symptoms and providing a multimodal approach, including surgical reconstruction and psychiatric treatment, are suggested.

Identifying Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Patients with Empty Nose Syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterised by repetitive episodes of upper airway collapse and breathing cessation during sleep. Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a surgically iatrogenic phenomenon of paradoxical nasal obstruction despite an objectively patent nasal airway. This study aimed to investigate sleep quality and the presence of OSA in ENS patients. Forty-eight ENS patients underwent full-night polysomnography. Total nasal resistance (TNR) was determined using anterior rhinomanometry. Symptoms and quality of life were evaluated by the empty nose syndrome 6-item questionnaire (ENS6Q), Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaires (ESS). Fourteen, twelve, and fourteen patients had mild, moderate, and severe OSA, respectively. The apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) and the lowest SpO₂ were 23.8 ± 22.4/h and 85.9 ± 11.1%, respectively. N1, N2, N3 and rapid-eye-movement sleep comprised 30.2 ± 16.9%, 47.3 ± 15.5%, 2.1 ± 5.4%, and 20.0 ± 8.1% of the total sleep time. Body mass index, neck circumference, serum total immunoglobulin E, and ENS6Q score were significantly associated with AHI in the regression analysis. The ENS6Q scores correlated positively with AHI, arousal index, and ESS score, but negatively with TNR. ENS patients showed a high OSA prevalence and significant sleep impairment. The extent of OSA was associated with obesity levels and ENS symptom severity. The ENS6Q scores correlated negatively with nasal resistance, and positively with arousal frequency and daytime sleepiness. The recognition of individuals experiencing marked OSA and provision of appropriate intervention is critical to preventing long-term morbidity and mortality, and improving therapeutic outcomes in ENS patients.

Suicidal thoughts in patients with empty nose syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Patients with empty nose syndrome (ENS) suffer from paradoxical nasal obstruction with a patent objective nasal airway. ENS may result from the excessive surgical reduction of the turbinate tissue. ENS patients also experience significant psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of suicidal thoughts in ENS patients and to characterize these patients for early identification.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective case series.

METHODS

Patients with ENS were prospectively recruited for this study. The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25), Empty Nose Syndrome 6-item Questionnaire (ENS6Q), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were used to assess ENS patients before and 6 months after nasal reconstruction surgery.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients with ENS were enrolled. Suicidal thoughts were identified in 23 ENS patients preoperatively and in four patients postoperatively. ENS patients with suicidal thoughts rated significantly higher in the SNOT-25, ENS6Q, BDI-II, and BAI total scores than those without suicidal thoughts (all P < .05). "Nose feels too open" was the item in ENS6Q that was significantly more severe in ENS patients with suicidal thoughts than those without suicidal thoughts (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Suicidal thoughts are frequently identified in patients with ENS. ENS patients with suicidal thoughts experienced significantly more severe symptoms, impaired quality of life, and psychological burden than those without suicidal thoughts. Recognizing individuals who may carry suicidal thoughts and provide appropriate psychological interventions is critical to prevent tragedy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Sublabial bioactive glass implantation for the management of primary atrophic rhinitis and empty nose syndrome: Operative technique

OBJECTIVES

Atrophic rhinitis (AR) and empty nose syndrome (ENS) are chronic diseases characterized by a paradoxical nasal obstruction. These rare syndromes tend to occur after nasal surgery of the inferior turbinates in ENS and can be idiopathic in AR. Medical treatments alone are often insufficient. Surgical options are challenging and numerous resorbable and nonresorbable implants have been described in small series, with as many surgical techniques described. Whereas current surgical procedures are for risk of extrusions, graft rejections or poor lasting results, the use of GlassBONE™ (Sodimed®, Avignon, France), a bioactive glass, for a vestibular approach in AR and ENS has never been reported for this indication.

METHODS

We described an original technique of nasal submucoperiosteal bilateral ceramic glass implantation in two patients with AR and ENS.

RESULTS

The two cases presented a postoperative satisfying endoscopic and sinus CT-scan results with filling of the nasal cavities, with less crusts and a complete wound healing. They had no short-term complications.

CONCLUSION

This innovative approach is easily feasible and could be an option considered for the surgical management of AR and ENS. Level of evidence: 4.

Empty Nose Syndrome Pathophysiology: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

The pathophysiology of empty nose syndrome (ENS) remains unclear despite significant research. The pathophysiologic mechanism of ENS was systematically reviewed.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE and Embase.

REVIEW METHODS

Data were systematically reviewed for studies that provided original data on pathophysiology.

RESULTS

A total of 2476 studies were screened, and 19 met the inclusion criteria: 13 case-control and 6 cross-sectional. Nine pathophysiologic themes were identified.• Demographics: ENS symptoms had no relationship with climatic factors.• Symptomatology: ENS patients demonstrated high symptom severity.• Mental health: Anxiety and depression including hyperventilation were reported in >50% of ENS patients and correlated with ENS symptom severity.• Anatomic features: Structural changes in response to turbinate surgery were similar between ENS and non-ENS patients.• Airflow analysis: Airflow parameters were similar between ENS and non-ENS patients after turbinate surgery. On computational fluid dynamic analysis, differences were found on multiple outcomes.• Diagnostic testing: The menthol detection test was impaired in ENS, and cotton placement in the airway improved ENS symptoms.• Cognitive function: Functional magnetic resonance imaging showed activation in emotional processing area during breathing.• Olfactory function: Subjective impairment was reported in ENS, but quantitative measures were similar to non-ENS patients.• Mucosal physiology/innate immunity: Turbinate histopathology in ENS showed a tissue-remodeling pattern. Nasal nitric oxide level was lower in ENS patients.

CONCLUSION

There is evidence of high comorbid mental health disorders in ENS patients. An abnormal trigeminal-thermoreceptor response may be present in some patients. The influence of altered airflow and the evidence of surgery as the cause for ENS are unclear.

Breathing Re-Education and Phenotypes of Sleep Apnea: A Review

Four phenotypes of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) have been identified. Only one of these is anatomical. As such, anatomically based treatments for OSAHS may not fully resolve the condition. Equally, compliance and uptake of gold-standard treatments is inadequate. This has led to interest in novel therapies that provide the basis for personalized treatment protocols. This review examines each of the four phenotypes of OSAHS and explores how these could be targeted using breathing re-education from three dimensions of functional breathing: biochemical, biomechanical and resonant frequency. Breathing re-education and myofunctional therapy may be helpful for patients across all four phenotypes of OSAHS. More research is urgently needed to investigate the therapeutic benefits of restoring nasal breathing and functional breathing patterns across all three dimensions in order to provide a treatment approach that is tailored to the individual patient.

The clinical effect of psychosomatic interventions on empty nose syndrome secondary to turbinate-sparing techniques: a prospective self-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Individuals affected by empty nose syndrome secondary to turbinate-sparing techniques (ENS-type) experience decreased productivity and lifestyle disruption owing to considerable nasal-associated discomfort. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of psychosomatic intervention on ENS-type.

METHODS

A prospective self-controlled study was conducted, and 28 patients suffering from ENS-type who met the diagnostic criteria for somatic symptom disorder (SSD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) received cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT) plus antidepressants. Nasal symptom burden was evaluated using the 25-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-25). Somatic symptom burden, anxiety severity, and depression severity were assessed by the 25-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15), the 9-item PHQ (PHQ-9), and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, respectively. Patient assessments were completed prior to treatment and 3 and 12 months after the intervention.

RESULTS

The total scores of the SNOT-25 declined posttreatment, showing a significant difference at the 3-month and 12-month follow-ups compared with the baseline scores (p < 0.001). The severity of the 5 most common subjective symptoms, including "nose is too open," "waking up at night," "lack of a good night's sleep," "difficulty falling asleep," and "reduced concentration," declined significantly at 3 and 12 months posttreatment compared to baseline levels. Statistically significant changes in the PHQ-15, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 scores were observed at 3 and 12 months posttreatment compared to baseline scores (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that some patients with ENS-type meeting the diagnostic criteria for SSD might benefit from psychiatric treatment.

Impact of Psychologic Burden on Surgical Outcome in Empty Nose Syndrome

OBJECTIVES /HYPOTHESIS

Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a complicated condition currently thought to be caused by excessive surgical resection of turbinate tissue. Patients with ENS experienced significant psychological symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the psychological burden on the surgical outcome of ENS.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective case series in a tertiary medical center.

METHODS

Patients with ENS were prospectively recruited between 2015 and 2018. Validated instruments including the Sinonasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used to evaluate patients with ENS prior to and 3, 6, and 12 months after nasal reconstruction surgery with submucosal Medpor implantation.

RESULTS

A total of 54 ENS patients were enrolled during the study period. All three evaluations revealed significant improvement, and symptoms stabilized 3 months after surgery. Six months post-operatively, SNOT-25 scores were significantly associated with the pre-operative BDI-II and BAI scores (β = 0.64 and 0.87; P = .006 and <.001, respectively). Multivariate regression model revealed that only BAI scores were significantly associated with the six-month post-operative SNOT-25 scores (adjusted β = 0.49, P = .036). Moreover, Spearman's correlation found close relationships between the post-operative SNOT-25 and the post-operative BDI-II and BAI scores (r_s = 0.751 and 0.884, both P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological evaluation can help predict surgical outcomes and identify patients with residual disease. These findings emphasize the importance of screening for psychological symptoms and structuring care by including psychological therapy in addition to surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4. Laryngoscope, 131:E694-E701, 2021.

Distinct Histopathology Characteristics in Empty Nose Syndrome

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a controversial disorder and the change of histopathology has never been discussed. This study aimed to conduct a structured histological review to improve the diagnosis and understanding of ENS. Further immunohistochemical staining of transient receptor potential channel melastatin 8 (TRPM8) was performed.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective case-control study in a tertiary medical center.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with ENS who were diagnosed and received surgical intervention after failure of conservative management were included. Patients with benign pituitary gland tumor receiving transsphenoidal excision were enrolled as control group. Biopsy of inferior turbinate was obtained during surgery for histological review and immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients with ENS and six patients as a control group were established for structured histological review. Patients with ENS presented significantly more squamous metaplasia, a higher rate of submucosal fibrosis, and a lower submucosal gland number grading. Additionally, a unique histological change called goblet cell metaplasia was found in the ENS group. The respiratory epitheliums of ENS were mostly intact with preservation of ciliated cells and goblet cells. The ENS group had a significantly lower expression level of TRPM8.

CONCLUSIONS

The nasal mucosa of ENS experienced some airway remodeling and thermoreceptors downregulation, which contribute to clinical symptoms. The distinct histology of ENS included preserved respiratory epithelium and goblet cell metaplasia, accompanying with characteristics similar to atrophic rhinitis. Biopsy of the inferior turbinate may help diagnose ENS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E14-E18, 2021.

The cotton test redistributes nasal airflow in patients with empty nose syndrome

BACKGROUND

Empty nose syndrome (ENS) remains a controversial disease primarily associated with inferior turbinate tissue loss. Cotton placement into the inferior meatus often alleviates ENS symptoms within minutes, but the physiologic explanation for this phenomenon is unknown. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was employed to evaluate the mechanisms of altered nasal airflow conferred by cotton testing.

METHODS

Six ENS patients (12 sides) with pre-existing sinus computed tomography (CT) imaging were enrolled after marked symptomatic improvement (decrease in score on the Empty Nose Syndrome 6-Item Questionnaire [ENS6Q] of >7 points) with office-based cotton testing. The fashioned cotton plug was labeled in situ with iohexol contrast spray, and sinus CT was immediately obtained to detect cotton contouring in the inferior meatus. CT imaging from pre- and post-cotton placement was analyzed using comparative CFD techniques.

RESULTS

After cotton placement, significant symptomatic improvement and reduced ENS6Q scores (16.8 ± 4.1 to 3.1 ± 2.4; p < 0.001) were recorded. Using CFD, cotton placement produced an expected 21% increase in upper airway resistance (p < 0.05). However, a significant shift in the nasal airflow distribution was also detected, with a transition of airflow vectors away from a middle meatus jetstream (-41%; p < 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Objective CFD assessment confirmed that the cotton test not only increases nasal resistance, but also restores airflow distribution to the inferior meatus in symptomatic ENS patients. These results highlight the potential efficacy of cotton test in ENS patients and further bolster the utility of this tool in identifying appropriate candidates for the inferior meatus augmentation procedure.

Update on empty nose syndrome: disease mechanisms, diagnostic tools, and treatment strategies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To discuss the proposed pathophysiology of empty nose syndrome (ENS), summarize and evaluate the role of validated diagnostic tools in the diagnosis of ENS, and review the medical and surgical treatment strategies for patients with ENS.

RECENT FINDINGS

Historically, ENS has been associated with a reduction in nasal turbinate size; new data suggest that impaired trigeminal nerve function may also play a role in the pathophysiology of the disease. The newly validated empty nose syndrome 6 item questionnaires and Cotton test are steps forward to standardize the diagnosis of ENS. Finally, there has been a marked increase in surgical treatment strategies to reconstitute turbinate volume with various implant materials.

SUMMARY

The diagnosis of ENS remains controversial but the last several years have seen a rejuvenation of interest in this disease entity. The validated empty nose syndrome 6 item questionnaires and Cotton test provide a standardized and objective means by which to characterize ENS. Prevention of iatrogenic ENS through avoidance of excessive turbinate reduction remains critical in preventing paradoxical nasal obstruction. Nasal humidification, patient education, and treatment of possible concomitant medical conditions (e.g., depression) constitute first lines of treatment. We support the cautious use of these screening tools as adjuncts to clinical decision-making. Although injectable implants to augment turbinate volume show promise as a therapeutic surgical technique, there is insufficient data to fully support their use at this time.

Turbinate loss from non-inflammatory sinonasal surgery does not correlate with poor sinonasal function

OBJECTIVE

The impact of turbinate resection on nasal function remains a controversial topic. In surgery for inflammatory sinonasal disease, turbinate resection is often avoided. In contrast, turbinate tissue is routinely sacrificed in endoscopic tumor and skull base surgery to achieve negative margins or gain adequate exposure. Anecdotally, these patients experience good self-reported post-operative nasal function despite extensive turbinate tissue loss. This study investigates the impact of turbinate resection on self-reported sinonasal function following endoscopic tumor or skull base surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

SETTING

Tertiary Australian Hospitals.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed on consecutive post-surgical patients after management for non-inflammatory sinus disease such as tumor resection or endoscopic skull base reconstruction. Outcome variables assessed included a 6-point Likert score for nasal obstruction, a 13-point Likert score for global nasal function and a 5-question sleep score. The degree of turbinate tissue loss (0-4) was determined by the number of inferior or middle turbinate subtotal resections. Regression analysis was performed, accounting for the effect of relevant demographic variables (smoking; asthma; allergic status; gastroesophageal reflux; malignancy; vestibule mucositis) and treatment variables (subtotal septectomy; Draf III; nasal radiotherapy.) RESULTS: 294 patients (age 52.9 ± 17.6 years, 51.0% female) were assessed. Number of turbinates resected was not associated with poorer nasal obstruction score, global nasal function score or sleep score (OR = 1.77[0.93-3.38], OR = 0.60[0.33-1.12], B = 0.56[-1.58-2.69] respectively). Allergy and Draf3 were found to improve postoperative global nasal function score (OR = 2.07[1.04-4.13], P = 0.04, OR = 3.97[1.08-14.49], P = 0.04, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In patients where surgery was performed for non-inflammatory sinus disease, turbinate resection is not correlated with poorer postoperative nasal obstruction, sinonasal function nor sleep quality.

Nasal nitric oxide in relation to psychiatric status of patients with empty nose syndrome

BACKGROUND

Although cases of empty nose syndrome (ENS) are not very common, the suffering that ENS causes patient is immense and could be very difficult to imagine. Nasal nitric oxide (nNO) is an airway disease biomarker, and its levels increase after endoscopic sinus surgery. The trend of nNO levels in ENS before and after surgical treatment remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the role of nNO in ENS.

METHODS

Patients with ENS who received surgical implantation and with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis (CHR) who underwent turbinoplasty and completed at least 1 year of follow-up were prospectively enrolled. nNO measurements and subjective assessments [SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT)-22, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-II, and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)] were performed preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

We enrolled 19 ENS and 12 CHR patients. nNO levels were significantly lower in the ENS than in the CHR patients before surgical treatment (p < 0.001). nNO levels in the ENS patients significantly increased 3 months after implantation and remained plateaued (p = 0.015). BDI-II and BAI scores significantly improved after surgical treatment for the ENS patients but not for the CHR patients; changes in nNO levels correlated well with improvements in BDI-II and BAI scores (p = 0.025 and 0.035, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

nNO significantly increased at third month after surgical treatment and remained plateaued in ENS patients. This increase correlated with improvements in BDI-II and BAI scores. Therefore, nNO may be important in assessing the psychiatric status of empty nose syndrome.

Annual review of selected scientific literature: A report of the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry

This comprehensive review of the 2018 dental literature is provided to inform busy dentists about progress in the profession. Developed by the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, each author brings discipline-specific expertise to one of the 8 sections of the report including (1) prosthodontics; (2) periodontics, alveolar bone, and peri-implant tissues; (3) implant dentistry; (4) dental materials and therapeutics; (5) occlusion and temporomandibular disorders; (6) sleep-related breathing disorders; (7) oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery; and (8) dental caries and cariology. The report targets important information that will likely influence day-to-day treatment decisions. Each review is not intended to stand alone but to update interested readers so that they may visit source materials if greater detail is desired. As the profession continues its march toward evidence-based clinical decision-making, an already voluminous library of potentially valuable dental literature continues to grow. It is the intention of this review and its authors to provide assistance in navigating the extensive dental literature published in 2018. It is our hope that readers find this work useful in the clinical management of patients moving forward.