Historical case · Turbinectomy · Atrophic rhinitis · WWII-era records
Jack Ackland’s story spans military flight training, repeated sinus procedures, chronic pain, disability and a decades-later medical review stating that his post-surgical condition would now be described as Empty Nose Syndrome.
Jack Ackland’s case is different from the modern patient stories on this site because it is reconstructed from wartime-era medical, military and Veterans Affairs material. The relevance to ENS comes from extensive turbinate surgery, documented atrophic rhinitis and a later ENT review that reportedly described the postoperative condition in modern terms as Empty Nose Syndrome.
Flight training, sinus disease and the search for treatment
Jack was a devoted serviceman who wanted to fly. The supplied account states that his sinus symptoms became increasingly difficult during aviation training, where pressure changes intensified facial and sinus pain.
He initially hoped medical treatment would allow him to continue his career. Instead, the case record describes repeated interventions followed by complications that progressively limited his ability to fly and eventually ended that part of his military service.
In a later letter, Jack recalled that the symptoms and pain became so severe during flying that he could no longer continue in the air.
1943 nasal surgery: submucosal resection and turbinectomy
According to the article excerpts supplied with this page, Jack was treated by Major R. W. Wright, M.D., head of an ENT department. Jack wrote that he had been reluctant to undergo sinus surgery but eventually consented after substantial pressure.
The source material describes removal of nasal cartilage and bone followed by surgery on the turbinates. It states that the ends of the turbinates were resected, the nasal cavity became excessively open and Jack later developed atrophic rhinitis and abnormal airflow.
Long-term pain, respiratory illness and disability after surgery
The supplied records describe a long period of persistent illness after Jack’s operations. He experienced severe headaches, recurrent sore throats, bronchial problems, arthritis attacks, weight loss, weakness and susceptibility to respiratory infections.
A supporting physician, Dr. E. R. Fenton, was quoted as regarding Jack’s disability as permanent and total. The records also describe periods when colleagues saw him leaving work close to collapse and occasions when his wife had to collect him because of the severity of his symptoms.
Historical records describe cartilage and bone resection together with turbinectomy.
The supplied material describes continuing sinus drainage, pain, respiratory complications and reduced physical capacity.
Jack was reportedly hospitalized with sinusitis, streptococcal infection and major systemic complications.
Jack continued seeking recognition for the long-term consequences of his sinus and respiratory conditions.
The family account describes worsening physical suffering, isolation and psychological distress before Jack passed away.
The supplied article states that the VA later recognized a mental disorder directly related to the consequences of Jack’s service-connected sinusitis and bronchitis.
Why this historical case is now discussed in relation to Empty Nose Syndrome
This is a retrospective interpretation, not a contemporaneous ENS diagnosis. Jack’s original records used older diagnostic language, including atrophic rhinitis; the ENS label was applied decades later by an ENT reviewer considering the surgical history and resulting anatomy.
The most important modern connection comes from the retrospective review described by Len Ackland. He asked Dr. Robert M. Meyers, an ENT professor at the University of Illinois in Chicago, to review the details of Jack’s operations and later symptoms.
According to the supplied article, Dr. Meyers explained that nasal surgery in the 1940s was performed much more aggressively than modern practice and stated that Jack’s resulting condition would today be referred to as Empty Nose Syndrome.
That retrospective description is significant because the historical records already described several features now associated with ENS discussions: extensive turbinate loss, an enlarged nasal cavity, excessive airflow, atrophic rhinitis, severe discomfort and profound functional impairment.
Veterans Affairs appeal and later recognition of service-related disability
The supplied case account states that the Department of Veterans Affairs initially declined to connect Jack’s final decline with his service-related disability. His wife appealed that decision while trying to support their children on a modest salary.
Nearly a year later, according to the source material, the VA reversed its earlier position. The agency recognized a marked personality change and psychiatric manifestations associated with an acquired mental disorder, and linked that disorder directly to the consequences of Jack’s sinusitis and bronchitis.
His widow was then granted Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. In the family narrative, that decision represented a delayed acknowledgment of how severe Jack’s chronic physical illness and related psychological distress had become.
Historical records and article excerpts
Read selected historical excerpts and findings
Jack’s reluctance before surgery
Jack wrote that he had been determined not to undergo sinus surgery but eventually consented after considerable pressure. The procedure was described as a submucosal operation involving removal of internal nasal cartilage and bone.
Criticism of the operation
The supplied article states that other doctors later questioned the necessity and extent of the surgery. The post-operative picture included an enlarged nasal cavity, atrophic rhinitis and excessive airflow.
Unable to continue flying
Jack later recalled that the pain became worse with flying and that the symptoms were ultimately severe enough to ground him and end his effort to continue an aviation career.
Permanent disability
A physician who had treated Jack for years described persistent posterior sinus drainage, bronchial illness and subsequent arthritis, and regarded his disability as permanent and total.
Later ENT review
Decades later, Dr. Robert M. Meyers reviewed the historical surgical details and, according to Len Ackland’s article, said the condition resulting from those procedures would now be called Empty Nose Syndrome.
Original article and supporting PDF
The original long-form article was written in 2018 by Jack’s son, journalist Len Ackland. It combines family history with military, medical and VA records and later expert review.
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