'Priapism' of the turbinates: a cause of nasal obstruction in sickle cell anaemia.

A cause of nasal obstruction in sickle cell anaemia not previously described in the literature is presented. The pathophysiology is the same as in priapism because of the similarities in the vascular arrangement of the turbinate and the penis. Various treatment options are considered but the best results were achieved by surgical reduction of the inferior turbinates.