Chronic Sinus Congestion: What Was Found Inside!
- Fatih Ünalan, who lives in denizli, had difficulty breathing since childhood and went to the hospital in 2024 due to the increase in bad smell as he got...
- In recent years, Halil Şimşek, who lives in Kırıkkale and has been suffering from long-term nasal congestion, discharge, headache and sleep disorder, was found to have a walnut-sized...
- This unusual situation experienced in the above examples has a name in medical literature; rhinolith, or nose stone.
Created: January 15, 2026 07:18
A very engaging event had been on the agenda last month: 65-year-old Salih Müldür had applied to the hospital with the complaint of long-term nasal congestion, and a 100-gram stone was detected in his nose during examinations and tests.With the intervention of doctors, the 100-gram stone was removed from the old man’s nose. We are familiar with kidney stones or gallstones, but stones in the nose are a disease that most peopel are unfamiliar with. So how do nose stones form? What signs should we pay attention to? Can a bead that went into our nose as a child turn into a stone after years?
Fatih Ünalan, who lives in denizli, had difficulty breathing since childhood and went to the hospital in 2024 due to the increase in bad smell as he got older, and a 30-year-old rhinolith was detected in his nose.
In recent years, Halil Şimşek, who lives in Kırıkkale and has been suffering from long-term nasal congestion, discharge, headache and sleep disorder, was found to have a walnut-sized stone in his nose.
This unusual situation experienced in the above examples has a name in medical literature; rhinolith, or nose stone.
“In medical literature, rhinoliths are usually a few grams in weight. A 100-gram stone is a very rare case. This weight is almost the size of a medium apple and is an enormous volume for the nasal cavity, which is a narrow canal. It takes decades for such a mass to form, not weeks or months. In the case of Mr.Salih, a stone of this size has probably undergone a 10 to 20 year accumulation process” said ENT Specialist Dr. Muhammet Sinan Dağdeviren answered all the curious questions about nose stones.
A Mysterious Nose Stone: What You Need to Know About Rhinoliths
Many people mistake the symptoms of rhinoliths – nasal stones – for common conditions like sinusitis, a deviated septum, or allergies, and consequently ignore them for years. Though, rhinoliths have distinct warning signs that set them apart.
Here’s what to look for:
- One-sided symptoms: This is the most important indicator. Congestion and discharge occur on onyl one side of the nose.
- Foul odor: Bacteria accumulating around the stone produce a strong, unpleasant, and perhaps inflammatory smell detectable by both the patient and those nearby.
- Bloody discharge: The stone’s pressure on the nasal mucosa can cause irritation and bleeding.
- Facial pain: As the stone grows, it can compress surrounding nerves, leading to pain in the face.
What damage can a rhinolith cause to the nasal structure? Will smell and breathing improve after removal?
A large, hard object remaining in the nose for years can cause tissue death, a process known as ‘pressure necrosis.’ This can lead to:
- Inflammation and ulceration of the nasal lining.
- Destruction of cartilage.
- In severe cases, even erosion of the bone.
Fortunately,removing the rhinolith typically resolves the odor and significantly improves breathing. Though, the extent of recovery depends on the duration the stone was present and the degree of damage it caused. In some cases, reconstructive surgery may be necessary to repair structural damage. If you experience these symptoms, it’s crucial to consult an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) for diagnosis and treatment.
For more details on nasal health, visit the american Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery: https://www.entnet.org/