Nasal swell body: a literature review

Abstract

Abstract The nasal swell body (NSB) is considered to be an enlarged region of the nasal septum, which is located superiorly to the inferior nasal turbinate and anteriorly to the middle nasal turbinate, with a potential effect upon the airflow nasal valve. The histological studies of the NSB demonstrated that it is a glandular formation, not a venous structure, and it is formed by septal cartilage and bone, as well as a thick mucosa. Recent studies emphasized the functional role of the nasal swell body and it is thought to interfere with the nasal airflow and air humidification, due to its proximity to the internal nasal valve and its histological characteristics (venous sinusoids and seromucinous glands). The nasal swell body is strongly related to the presence of rhinosinusal chronic inflammations (allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis) and the septal deviation. In case of the presence of the nasal swell body, surgical treatment is not commonly done, due to the absence of a consensus between the ENT practitioners. Most of them consider surgery as being too aggressive because of the presence of seromucinous glands, with slight impact upon the nasal obstruction. Most probably, the lack of consensus is determined by inconsistent anatomical and histological study results.