Affiliation:
1. Division of Rhinology, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Stanford University School of Medicine Palo Alto California USA
2. Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
3. Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery VA Palo Alto Health Care System Palo Alto California USA
Abstract
ObjectiveEmpty nose syndrome (ENS) is a relatively uncommon disease that greatly impacts the quality of life and presents diagnostic challenges. We sought to identify objective clinical findings unique to patients with ENS, and in doing so identified compensatory mucosal hypertrophy in an alternating, undulating swelling on endoscopy and coronal computerized tomography (CT) that we have termed the “Serpentine Sign.” Here, we investigated whether this radiographic finding is a reliable manifestation in ENS patients.MethodsRetrospective review was undertaken to identify ENS patients with past turbinoplasty, an ENS6Q score of at least 11/30, and symptomatic improvement with the cotton placement test. Control patients without complaints of ENS symptoms (ENS6Q < 11) were identified for comparison. ENS and control patients had coronal CT imaging available to evaluate for the Serpentine Sign, as well as ENS6Q scores, and histologic analysis of nasal tissue.Results34 ENS and 74 control patients were evaluated for the presence of the Serpentine Sign. Of the 34 patients with ENS, 18 exhibited this radiographic finding on CT imaging (52.9%) compared to 0 of the 74 control patients (p < 0.0001). Further analysis demonstrated that ENS patients with the Serpentine Sign had lower median scores on ENS6Q than ENS patients without (17.5 vs. 22, p = 0.033). Histology revealed disorganized subepithelium rich in seromucinous glands similar to the nasal septum swell body.ConclusionThe “Serpentine Sign” is a unique presentation of hypertrophic change to the nasal septum soft tissue that is specific to ENS patients and may serve as a reliable radiographic and endoscopic finding in diagnosis.Level of EvidenceIV Laryngoscope, 2023