The word "rhinolith" is a medical term used to describe a stone-like structure acquired inside the nose. A rhinolith may also be referred to as a nasal stone or nasal calculus. These stones can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, or abnormal nasal discharge. They are diagnosed on the basis of a physical examination, visualization of the nasal cavity with specialized scopes, or radiographic images of the whole head. Treatment focuses on removing the rhinolith and treating any underlying nasal infection.
To understand why a rhinolith might develop, it helps to understand the basics about the structure and function of the nose. When looking at a human face, the nose appears as a protrusion that ends in two openings known as the nostrils. They open into two symmetrical chambers called vestibules that are divided by the nasal septum; This opening extends upwards and backwards, causing the internal nasal cavity to expand to a volume greater than its external appearance suggests. The nose is important because it warms and humidifies the air that enters the human body and travels to the lungs, and also filters this air by removing harmful particles. In addition, the nose is important because the paranasal sinuses, which are hollow spaces present in the anterior face, drain into the nasal cavity.
Rhinoliths can develop in the inner nasal cavity. A stone usually forms around a small structure, such as a piece of dried mucus or a foreign object inserted into the nose. Rhinolith is often made up of mineral deposits such as calcium. Stones can range in size from a fraction of an inch to more than an inch in diameter, and they form preferentially in the area where the sinuses drain their contents into the nasal cavity. Sometimes infection of the nose with different bacterial species can promote the growth of these nasal stones.
Symptoms experienced by a patient with a rhinolith can vary, but may include pain, swelling, abnormal nasal discharge, and a feeling of fullness. The affected patient could have a decreased sense of smell as a result of the obstruction caused by the stone. Most often, the symptoms caused by this condition only affect one side of the nose.
Diagnosis of a rhinolith can be made using several different methods. In some cases, using a flashlight to look down the nostrils may help the doctor make a diagnosis of a nasal stone. With other patients, doctors who specialize in diseases of the nose might use specialized scopes to view the nasal cavity more thoroughly. Other radiographic techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or x-rays, may also help in the diagnosis.
Treatment of a rhinolith focuses on removing the stone. Sometimes the stone must be broken down into smaller component parts before it can be mined. Often the nasal cavity is swabbed and cultured to see if any abnormal bacterial growth is present, and if so, patients are treated with appropriate antibiotic medications.