Nasal Air-Jet Sensitivity Differentiates Empty Nose Syndrome and Turbinate Reduction Patients: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology
• Sensory Neuroscience

Background:

• Abnormal nasal mucosal function is suspected in Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS) symptomology.
• Limited evidence currently exists to support this hypothesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare nasal mucosal sensitivity to air-jet stimuli between ENS patients and controls.
• To investigate the relationship between mucosal sensitivity and ENS symptom severity.

Main Methods:

• A prospective pilot study involving seven ENS patients and seven post-septoplasty (septo-turb) patients without ENS.
• Air-jet stimuli were applied to specific nasal sites, and detection thresholds were determined using a single-staircase method.
• Correlation analysis was performed between regional thresholds and validated symptom scores (NOSE, SNOT-22, ENS6Q, VAS).

Main Results:

• ENS patients exhibited significantly higher (less sensitive) detection thresholds on the septum opposing the inferior turbinate center compared to controls (p=0.016).
• No significant differences were observed at other tested nasal sites.
• The regional threshold on the septum significantly correlated with all self-reported symptom scores (r=0.45-0.54, p<0.05).

Conclusions:

• Significant regional differences in nasal mucosal sensitivity exist between ENS and post-septoplasty patients.
• These sensitivity differences, particularly in the septum, correlate with the severity of ENS symptoms.
• Larger sample sizes are recommended for more definitive conclusions.