Computed Tomographic Evaluations in Patients with Empty Nose Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate computed tomography (CT) images of patients with empty nose syndrome (ENS), investigate the impact of reconstruction surgery on sinus inflammation, and identify the optimal airspace diameter after surgery.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective case series analysis, identifying and enrolling patients with ENS with perioperative CT findings. The clinical characteristics of the participants were collected, and the modified Lund-Mackay (mLM) CT scores were determined. The anterior airspace diameter was evaluated by measuring the distance between the septum and the lateral nasal wall on the coronal plane at the level of the nasolacrimal duct.

Results: Twenty patients with ENS and perioperative CT images were enrolled. The mean total mLM CT score and all subsite scores showed no significant changes after surgery. The Empty Nose Syndrome 6-item Questionnaire (ENS6Q) score, Sino-nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25) score, sleep symptoms domain, psychological domain, and empty nose symptoms domain were significantly associated with anterior airspace diameter in the regression analysis.

Conclusion: There was no significant difference in sinus inflammation between preoperative and postoperative CT evaluations. The anterior airspace diameters were significantly associated with ENS6Q and SNOT-25 scores.

Level of evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:2105-2110, 2024.

Keywords: Empty Nose Syndrome 6‐item Questionnaire; Sino‐nasal Outcome Test‐25; anterior airspace diameter; computed tomography; empty nose syndrome.