Definition: Chronic non-specific rhinitis with hypertrophy of nasal mucosa especially that of the turbinates.
Aetiology (causes)
- Repeated acute rhinitis.
- Chronic sinusitis.
- Chronic irritation of nasal mucosa e.g., dust, allergy, or drugs.
Symptoms:
- Bilateral nasal obstruction.
- Bilateral mucoid discharge (anterior and postnasal).
Signs:
- Hypertrophied nasal mucosa especially the inferior turbinate (doesn’t shrink with vasoconstrictors).
- Sticky mucopurulent discharge.
Treatment of Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis:
a. Treatment of the cause: e.g. allergy (give anti-histaminic).
b. Medical:
Topical steroids.
c. Surgical: turbinate reduction surgery
- Submucosal diathermy.
- Partial turbinectomy.
- Laser turbinectomy, coblation, or shaver turbinate reduction.