Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Forum - Nostril Obstruction: genetic or acquired? what causes this?
Medical questions     Health forums     MarketPlace     log in    

Nostril Obstruction: genetic or acquired? what causes this?
New Topic  This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.  Ask A Doctor - Offline
Medical Questions-> Health Forums -> Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders -> Nostril Obstruction: genetic or acquired? what causes this?
Medical Questions
Author Message
DoctorQuestion
Doctor Question

Doctor Question
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 3223
Thanks: 13
Thanked:0
Nostril Obstruction: genetic or acquired? what causes this?
Posted: 10-19-06 18:31pm
My 4 year old has a constant runny nose from the right nostril everyday since she was born. Most times it is thick and yellow. She has also had several ear and throat infections.

After going to doctors and allergists and being on antibiotics alot, we finally saw an ENT doctor. He said that her tonsils where too close together and therefore fluid was accumulating in her nose and ears and not draining properly.

Today she had her tonsils and adnoids removed plus tubes placed in her ears to drain fluid. Anyway after the surgery the doctor tells me that during the surgery he tried to put a suction tube in through her right nostril to her throat. He apparently couldn't slide the tube through her nostril. He said it was like he hit a wall. He then tried to put the tube up through her throat to her nostril and couldn't.

He said she was probably born without a passage way on the right side, hence the runny nose. Also she doesn't breathe through the right nostril at all. She does make alot of noises sleeping.

I am to discuss next steps with him in a couple weeks at our follow up visit.

Meanwhile, I am upset. Is this a common thing to be born without a right passageway? Is it dangerous? Could it be cancer? Does this require another major surgery? What is the medical term for this?

Sorry for all the questions but I am scared for my daughter. Any information or advice you can give would be most appreciated.
Thank you.
|
DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer

Doctor Answer
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 16777211
Thanks: 25
Thanked:0
Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders Answer A1691
Posted: 10-25-06 05:31am
Obstruction of the right nasal corridor can be either a congenital (inborn) or acquired condition.
According to your daughter’s age and long history of nose-ear-pharynx infections starting from her delivery, it is possible that she is experiencing a congenital anomaly. This type of anomaly is rare.
A one-sided nasal obstruction can be also acquired. Often nasal infections can cause chronic inflammation which can manifest with mucosal hypertrophy. Mucosal hypertrophy can create a polyp that can obdurate the nasal corridor.
Sometimes the polyp can originate from a tumor rather than an inflammation (neoplastic genesis). Neoplastic polyps (tumors) have unknown etiology.
A fourth possibility is that foreign object is stacked in the nasal corridor. Chronic inflammation can develop around the object and the whole structure can act like a tumor obstructing the nasal corridor.
In all four cases the only treatment is surgery. You can consult an ENT-specialist for further diagnostic examinations, a true diagnosis, and treatment.



DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" Questions are answered by Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov, General Practitioner. Dr. Gjuzelov practices medicine for the general public and is affiliated with the Republic of Macedonia Public Health Institution. For more information about Dr. Gjuzelov or other eHealthForum.com medical experts, please visit our About Us page. You may also visit our Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Forum, for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The material presented in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified licensed medical professional. eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor advises all users with health problems and concerns to consult their personal doctors. Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, you must consult your qualified licenseced medical professional before starting any treatment.

The materials in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. To the fullest extent possible, eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor expressly excludes all liability in respect of the information and opinions contained in the Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor, this Web site, or any sites linked to this Web site.
|
Related Topics
This Forum This Category All Forums
Jump to:  
New Topic   This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.
Medical Questions -> Health Forums -> Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders -> Nostril Obstruction: genetic or acquired? what causes this?



 about us | contact us | press room | policies | internships | scholarships | sitemap | rss | help
We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health This page was last updated on June 11, 2008
© 2008 eForums, Inc.