X-Ray and clinical study of the nose, sinuses and maxilla in patients with severe iron deficiency disease
Reimann, F.; Kayhan, V.; Talati, U.; Gökmen
Laryngologie Rhinologie Otologie 54(11): 880-890
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0340-1588 PMID: 127902 Document Number: 87765
A definite relation between ozaena and iron deficiency disease could not be verified. However, the examination of 88 patients with severe iron deficiency disease, mostly of juvenile age, revealed that X-ray pictures of the nose and the paranasal sinuses showed abnormal alterations indicating the existence of a non-inflammatory process. There were few symptoms from the nose and the neighbouring structures as well as insignificant clinical findings by inspection of these structures. The increased opacity of the maxillary sinuses on the roentgenograms and some other changes are considered to be partially due to the insufficient pneumatisation which is related to the retarded development and maturation of juvenile patients with iron deficiency disease. Furthermore, it is caused by the enlargement and thickening of the facial bones resulting from the expansive growth of the hyperplastic and hypertrophic red marrow filling completely the cancelous substance. The space of the maxillary sinuses is narrowed in many cases, the penetration power of the X-ray diminished and the clearing effect of the air containing cavities decreased.