Question

A women visited ENT opd with nasal obstruction. On examination greenish black crusts were present in the nasal cavity covering turbinate and septum. She also had merciful anosmia. What other sign will you find in this case on examination?

• A. Polyp
• B. Hypertrophied inferior turbinate
• C. Roomy nasal cavity
• D. Foreign antibody

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The patient described exhibits symptoms commonly associated with Atrophic Rhinitis. This condition is characterized by:

• Nasal obstruction due to crust formation: These crusts are often greenish-black and cover the turbinate and septum, as noted in the examination.
• Merciful anosmia: This term refers to the loss or reduction in the sense of smell, which is typically a relief in atrophic rhinitis as the condition often emits an unpleasant odor.

An essential clinical feature of Atrophic Rhinitis is the discovery of a roomy nasal cavity on examination:

• The nasal cavity appears larger than normal because of the atrophy of the turbinates and the nasal mucosa.
• The presence of this space is due to the shrinkage of tissues within the nasal cavity, resulting in increased space.

Hence, the correct answer is the roomy nasal cavity, which is a classic finding in contrast to conditions like nasal polyps or hypertrophied turbinates that would instead narrow the nasal passages.