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Ozena

Ozena is a disease of the nose in which the bony ridges and mucous membranes of the nose waste away.

Ozena is also called atrophic rhinitis.

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Symptoms

Nasal crusting, discharge, congestion, and a very bad smell are other common symptoms of ozena.

Ozena may develop after a long period of nasal swelling.

Related Information

References

Corren J, Baroody FM. Allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. In: O'Hehir RE, Holgate ST, Khurana Hershey GK, Sheikh A, eds. Allergy Essentials. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 8.

Yan CH, Hwang PH. Nonallergic rhinitis. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 39.

Review Date: 7/28/2025  

Reviewed By: Ashutosh Kacker, MD, FACS, Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Attending Otolaryngologist, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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