This Publication Is Searchable The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Section 7. Ear, Nose, And Throat Disorders Chapter 86. Taste Sinusitis Neoplasms Rhinitis Edema and vasodilation of the nasal mucous membrane, nasal discharge, and obstruction. These conditions produce nasal obstruction, purulent rhinorrhea, and frequent bleeding. Rhinoscleroma causes progressive nasal obstruction from indurated inflammatory tissue in the lamina propria.
Rhinosporidiosis is characterized by bleeding polyps.
Diagnosis and Treatment Diagnosis and treatment of acute bacterial rhinitis are based on pathogen identification and antibiotic sensitivities. Treatment consists of appropriate antimicrobial drugs. A chronic rhinitis characterized by an atrophic and sclerotic mucous membrane, abnormal patency of the nasal cavities, crust formation, and a foul odor. The cause is unknown, although bacterial infection frequently plays a role. The mucous membrane changes from ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium, and the lamina propria is reduced in amount and vascularity.