A rhinolith is a hard formation in the nasal cavity that forms over months or even years around a small foreign body, blood clot, or mucus due to the deposition of calcium salts. This is a rare condition that requires vigilance on the part of the otolaryngologist. It is often discovered incidentally during routine CT scans for dental or other reasons. Images clearly show a foreign object in the nasal passages or sinuses, or structural changes. Incidentally, regular use of head CT scans allows many ENT pathologies to be detected in their early stages, even before pronounced symptoms appear. Clinical case A 14-year-old female patient presented with complaints of nasal obstruction and persistent nasal discharge. She had undergone treatment multiple times, but the effect was transient. On examination following decongestion of the nasal passages, a mucus-covered foreign body was identified; it had a dense, chalky structure and was freely mobile, but could not be removed immediately. The patient was recommended to undergo a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses to clarify the structure and location of the rhinolith. It was subsequently successfully removed under general anesthesia. This is already the second case of a rhinolith in my practice—extremely interesting given the rarity of this condition. In the photos and video below, you can see the location of the rhinolith in the patient's nose, its CT appearance, and the removal process. Another case that may be of interest is also presented. If you have complaints regarding nasal breathing or other symptoms, do not delay—consult an otolaryngologist.

A nasal foreign body refers to small objects that enter the nasal passage, most commonly during childhood. They cause nasal obstruction, mucous discharge, and distress as the situation gets out of control. Instead of fun games, the child forces parents to urgently seek help from an otolaryngologist. If the child forgets about the foreign body, it can lead to nasal passage inflammation and infection in the short term, and in the long term, to the formation of a rhinolith (which I will certainly write about in one of my upcoming posts). Clinical Case A father brought his 5-year-old son to see me. The boy was playing with pieces of foam rubber and inserted one into his nose. The parents tried to extract it with tweezers, but it slipped and was pushed even deeper. They quickly went to the emergency department, where after examination and analgesia, the foreign body was successfully removed within a few minutes. Afterward, both the child and parents realized with relief that a sponge in the nose is definitely not the best "companion" for playtime. Advice for Parents Be vigilant with children and small objects. Just a few seconds of silence from a child can turn into a serious medical issue. Button batteries (watch batteries) are particularly dangerous: once inside the moist nasal cavity, they activate and cause chemical burns, requiring not only removal of the battery but also meticulous post-procedure management to avoid complications. If a child puts something in their nose and you cannot remove the object yourself, do not try to extract it with tweezers or other instruments — in most cases, you will only push it deeper. There is a safe technique called the "mother's kiss": place the child on their side so that the nostril containing the foreign body is facing down; take a deep breath; place your mouth firmly over the child's mouth and occlude the unaffected nostril with your finger; exhale into the child's mouth. In many cases, the foreign body pops out of the nose like a cork from a bottle. If this technique does not work, be sure to seek medical attention immediately. In the photos, you can see various foreign bodies that were removed from patients' noses, as well as their appearance during endoscopic examination. If you are interested in learning more about ENT foreign bodies, check out my other posts that complement this topic. Stay safe and healthy!