Nasal Swell Body Reduction Techniques: A Review Long Overdue

Introduction: The nasal swell body (NSB) is an anatomical finding that lacks classification and treatment standardization across the field of otolaryngology. The objective of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and serviceability of various NSB reduction techniques.

Methods: Between 7/22-12/22, the following terms were searched across four search engines (Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PubMed): “nasal swell body” and reduction; “nasal septal body” and reduction; and “nasal septal turbinate” and reduction. Articles were filtered to only include articles with an analysis of NSB reduction methods categorized based on technique modalities: radiofrequency (RF), cryoablation (CA), topical treatment (TT), and surgical intervention (SI).

Results: There were a total of 148 results across the 4 search engines and 49 were duplicates. Of the 99 remaining articles, 8 articles included an analysis of NSB reduction techniques. The remaining 91 articles covered an array of topics, including defining NSB (13%), anatomy/physiology/histology (13%), imaging (12%), repairs (4%), and sleep studies (5%). Of the 8 articles discussing reduction methods, 5 articles evaluated the use of RF (63%). One discussed TT to reduce NSBs (13%). One analyzed CA as an NSB reduction method (13%). One investigated a specific SI (13%).

Conclusions: The scarcity of available or existing studies depicting the efficacy and complications of nasal swell body reduction techniques limits possible surgical indications. This remains the first study to compile available data on nasal swell body reduction procedures and analyze its serviceability. Otolaryngologists may use the limited available data with careful consideration as a tool to improve the treatment and management of nasal airway obstruction.