Histological Evaluation of the Nasal Swell Body in Allergic Patients

Introduction The nasal swell body (NSB), also called the nasal septal swell body or septal turbinate, is the thickest and widest region of the nasal septum. The NSB is located at the level of the internal nasal valve, and the anteriosuperior portion of the nasal septum is composed of cartilage, bone and its overlying mucoperichondrium (1). The presence and importance of the NSB has not been studied clinically and its function is not clear. High nasal septal deviations may even be misdiagnosed due to hypertrophy of this region. The NSB may experience nasal obstruction even following minimal changes in mucosal thickness. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of the NSB showed vasoactive expansile properties but not as much as in the inferior turbinate (2, 3). Histological evaluation of the NSB revealed the presence of seromucinous glands, venous sinusoids and vascular structures (1).

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