Ozena

Ozena (fetid runny nose) is a disease of unclear etiology, characterized by the development of a chronic dystrophic process in the mucosa and bony walls of the nasal cavity with the formation of dirty-gray crusts on the mucosal surface; manifested by a sharp unpleasant odor from the nose, hypo-or anosmia.

[1], [2], [3]

Epidemiology

The epidemiology of the disease is not well understood. The disease is widespread throughout the world. It is enough to mention that in the 60-70s. Last century, researchers conducted hundreds of operations for Ozena.

[4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15]

Causes of the ozeny

The reason for the development of ozena has not yet been clarified. There are many theories of its occurrence :

• alimentary is one of the most common theories; people who live in poor sanitary and hygienic conditions and are poorly nourished are often ill;
• theory of beriberi - lack of vitamins A and D, according to other data - K and group B;
• anatomical - based on the structural features of the skull, nasal cavity and nasopharynx;
• hereditary;

[16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24]

Symptoms of the ozeny

The disease is more often diagnosed in young women. Patients complain of pronounced dryness and the formation of a large number of crusts in the nose, the presence of an unpleasant fetid odor from the nose, which patients usually do not feel themselves, difficulty in nasal breathing and the absence of smell (anosmia). The fetid odor is so pronounced that others avoid the presence of the patient, and this is reflected in his mental state and interpersonal relations — the patient becomes socially isolated. At the very beginning of the disease, an impaired sense of smell is usually caused by the presence of crusts covering the olfactory region of the nasal cavity, and further anosmia occurs due to the atrophy of the olfactory receptors. In some cases, when ozena observed saddle nose.

[25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30]

Forms

They distinguish mild, moderate and severe forms of ozena.

[31], [32], [33], [34]

Treatment of the ozeny

Currently, therapeutic measures are aimed at influencing the microbial factor, elimination of the main manifestations of the disease (peel, smell) and symptomatic therapy aimed at improving the functional state of the nose.

Hospitalization is indicated for moderate to severe forms of the disease, provided that there is no possibility of outpatient treatment.

[35], [36], [37], [38], [39], [40], [41]

Screening ozena

With a long course of chronic catarrhal rhinitis and the absence of the effect of conventional treatment methods, additional examination should be carried out, in particular, the smear on the microflora and sensitivity to antibiotics.

[42], [43]