Rhinolith

A rhinolith is a "calculus present in the nasal cavity." It is an uncommon medical phenomenon, not to be confused with dried nasal mucus.

Synonyms: Nasal calculi; Concretions in the nose

Rhinoliths are rare. They are formed by salts depositing over time on a foreign body in the nostril or paranasal sinus. The foreign body that forms the core for the rhinolith, can originate from within the body (such as a dried blood clot or an ectopic tooth) or outside of it (such as a fruit seed or a bead).

The surface of a rhinollith is mulberry like, may be grey or brownish pink in color. Rhinoliths are friable, and they crumble readily under pressure. They are chiefly made of phosphates and carbonates of calcium. Sometimes phosphate of magnesia, chloride of sodium and carbonates of magnesia are also seen. These salts originate from the nasal mucous secretions, tears, and inflammatory exudates.

Rhinoliths can cause nasal obstruction, epistaxis, headache, sinusitis and epiphora.