Giant concha bullosa containing another concha bullosa inside: unique anatomic variation of the middle turbinate

Detailed knowledge of the anatomical variations of the lateral nasal wall is crucial for both the surgeon who is performing endoscopic sinus surgery and the radiologist who is involved in the preoperative work-up. Preoperative recognition of these variations will avoid possible complications during the surgery. In this report, we present a unique anatomical variant of the middle turbinate, a large concha bullosa inside a giant concha bullosa, which has never been reported before. Furthermore, we comment on the differential diagnosis of the variations of the middle turbinate and on the embryology of the nasal turbinates. This report also supplies additional aspects to rhinologists in the scope of middle turbinate pneumatization.     

A massive superior concha bullosa: case report and literature review

The superior turbinate was the most neglected of the turbinates in the past. With the advent of functional endoscopic sinus surgery and coronal computed tomography imaging, considerable attention has been concentrated exclusively on the lateral nasal wall anatomy, including the hidden turbinate, whose symptomatic concha bullosa is extremely rare. Only a very few cases have been reported to date. This seemingly interesting as well as rare case report is concerned with unilateral hyperpneumatization of the superior turbinate, which contacts the septum and leads to headache, associated with bilateral massive concha bullosa of the middle turbinate.     

Wedge Resection of the Middle Turbinate—An Adjunct to Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)

A simple technique of wedge resection of the anterior part of the middle turbinate allows a better access to the Osteo meatal complex (OMC) during FESS procedure. In post-operative period it facilitates proper ethmoid cavity care, mandatory to the success of the endoscopic sinus surgery. The technique keeps the middle turbinate away from the lateral wall of the nose and helps reducing the synechia formations. It also exteriorises the apparent and occult pneumatised middle turbinate. It is a simple and safe procedure to perform with minimal trauma to the middle turbinate without complications attributable to the technique. During functional endoscopic sinus surgery this technique affords improved exposure to the OMC in patients with high deviated septum, narrow nasal vault, a large concha bullosa and paradoxical turbinate.     

Concha bullosa. A radiological study and a new classification

ObjectiveA pneumatised middle turbinate is called concha bullosa. It has been classified according to its extension in the coronal plane. We propose the first classification according to the axial extension of pneumatisation of the middle turbinate.Material and methodsBulbous concha bullosa was classified in six categories according to the degree of pneumatisation of the body of the middle turbinate in the axial plane.Results196 CT sinonasal scans were included. 28.06% of patients had concha bullosa, unilateral in 13.26% and bilateral in 14.79%. The most common concha bullosa found was type I, followed by type III, II, IV and V. There were no statistically significant differences by side, between the patients with or without chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps.ConclusionOur results support the hypothesis that concha bullosa is not related to chronic rhinosinusitis. Furthermore, type IV and V cells mean posterior aeration of the middle turbinate. Those variations are rare and posterior, so they can easily pass unnoticed during endoscopic sinus surgery. Our classification is also important as a surgical reference, and it can be easily studied on the preoperative CT scan.     

Concha bullosa pyocele

An aerated middle turbinate is called a concha bullosa (CB), and given the importance of the middle turbinate in nasal physiology, variations that alter the airflow and mucous drainage can cause sinonasal symptoms. A pyocele of the middle turbinate differs from an infected CB because it has the potential to expand and destroy neighbouring tissues like a tumour. We present a concha bullosa pyocele (CBP) that expanded against the lamina papyracea without causing orbital displacement. As pus was discharged whilst performing an endoscopic biopsy to determine whether it was neoplastic, the lateral aspect of the turbinate was excised to complete the procedure.     

泡性中鼻甲伴黏液囊肿1例报道并文献分析

目的 提高对泡性中鼻甲（CB）及中鼻甲黏液囊肿的认识和诊治水平。方法 报道1例CB伴黏液囊肿患者的临床资料并复习相关文献,随访患者术后恢复情况。结果 患者行鼻内镜下左侧CB外侧部分切除术,患者术后恢复好,鼻腔解剖结构清楚,鼻腔功能保留。结论 CB是一种常见鼻腔解剖变异,在患者出现相关症状就诊时发现或在健康体检中发现,其发展缓慢,症状多样,临床上容易漏诊、误诊。外科手术为其主要治疗方法,具体手术方式结合患者情况行个体化治疗。     

内镜鼻窦手术中中鼻甲处理及其临床意义

目的 探讨内镜鼻窦手术中中鼻甲处理特点,重申正确处理中鼻甲对内镜鼻窦手术疗效的影响及其临床意义.方法 回顾性分析68例中鼻甲病变合并慢性鼻窦炎鼻息肉患者术前的鼻内镜检查和CT扫描特征等临床资料,了解中鼻甲的形态、病变类型和病变范围,与相邻鼻窦、中鼻道、钩突以及鼻中隔的解剖关系,分析内镜鼻窦手术术中中鼻甲处理特点及其对术后疗效的影响.结果 68例中,23例双侧气化中鼻甲,5例反常曲线中鼻甲(2例单侧,3例双侧),25例中鼻甲息肉样变(15例双侧,10例单侧),6例双侧中鼻甲息肉形成,9例双侧中鼻甲骨质增生.所有病例均不同程度阻塞中鼻道.术后随访半年至1年,粘连出现的时间为:术后2～4周19例(28%),术后5～8周11例(16%),术后9～12周8例(8/68,12%),半年至1年4例(5.9%).粘连部位:与鼻腔外侧壁粘连者30例,与下鼻甲上缘粘连9例,与鼻中隔粘连3例.治愈49例(72%),好转18例(26%),无效1例(1.8%).结论 内镜鼻窦手术中,有必要对中鼻甲不同病变程度、范围和类型进行个体化处理,尤其是中鼻甲成形术对保存其功能及提高内镜鼻窦手术临床疗效有重要的意义.     

Hipoplasia del seno maxilar

Maxillary sinus hypoplasia is rare, with an estimated prevalence of 1-5%. Out of the CT scans performed in sinusal patients between March 1998 and June 1999, we report on 4 isolated maxillary sinus hypoplasia, 4 maxillary sinus hypoplasia associated to concha bullosa, and 10 isolated conchae bullosas. All cases were evaluated by nasosinusal endoscopy and CT scan. Size, location and uni/bilateral presentation of concha bullosa is correlated to maxillary sinus hypoplasia presence, specially with regards to uncinate process presence, medial or lateral retraction. The pathogenesis of maxillary sinus hypoplasia is reviewed, and its relation to concha bullosa, evaluating how this could explain some cases of the so called chronic maxillary sinus atelectasia, as an acquired and progressive variant of maxillary sinus hypoplasia in adults.     

Massive Concha Bullosa with Secondary Maxillary Sinusitis

Concha bullosa is a common anatomic variation of the middle turbinate; however, sinusitis secondary to the concha bullosa is rare. A 52-yr-old woman presented with nasal obstruction and posterior nasal drip. Computed tomography and examination of the nasal cavity revealed septal deviation on the left side, and a massive concha bullosa and maxillary sinusitis on the right side. The lateral lamella of the affected turbinate was removed and the inspissated material was drained. Histopathologic examination of the excised lesion in the concha bullosa revealed bacterial colonies in the mucus plug. We report here on a massive concha bullosa with secondary maxillary sinusitis.     

Concha bullosa: reducing middle meatal adhesions by preserving the lateral mucosa as a posterior pedicle flap

BACKGROUND: Concha bullosa, an extensively pneumatized middle turbinate, may obstruct the paranasal sinuses. Messerklinger's partial lateral turbinectomy is commonly used to debulk the concha bullosa, leaving a raw surface with the potential for adhesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A modified technique of partial lateral turbinectomy is described. A posterior pedicled mucosal flap covers the inferior raw surface of the medial lamella of the middle turbinate. Three-month follow up of a consecutive series is compared with concurrent controls. RESULTS: Two (7 per cent) of 28 posterior pedicled flap and four (21 per cent) of 19 traditional partial lateral turbinectomies developed mild middle meatal adhesions (p = 0.011). Posterior pedicled flap reduced the need for post-operative cleaning of the middle meatus. CONCLUSION: The posterior pedicled mucosal flap is a simple modification to partial lateral turbinectomy that covers the raw surface facing the lateral nasal wall, significantly reducing adhesions and speeding recovery.     

Is there a relationship between middle concha bullosa and ethmoid roof asymmetry?

IntroductionThe middle turbinate and ethmoid roof are intranasal structures and may have many anatomical variations. These structures, which serve as anatomical markers during functional sinus surgery, are important for preventing complications and performing a proper surgery. Knowledge of anatomical variations will increase surgical success and reduce complications.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the presence of asymmetry in the ethmoidal roof and anatomical variation in patients with and without concha bullosa.MethodsIn this study, the files of patients who underwent paranasal computed tomography between 2012 and 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups, as patients with and without concha bullosa. Differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, septum deviation, ethmoid artery dehiscence, ethmoid roof asymmetry were examined.ResultsThe 369 patients included in our study were divided into two groups; those with concha bullosa and those without concha bullosa. The mean age of the patients with concha bullosa was 36.1 ± 13.4 (min–max: 12–74) and the mean age of patients without concha bullosa was 37.5 ± 14.3 (min–max: 10–81). The ethmoid roof depths were compared between the two groups and a significant difference was observed (p < 0.001). The ethmoid roof depth was higher in the group with concha bullosa (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe results of our study indicate that the ethmoidal roof tends to be higher in patients with middle concha bullosa.     

Resection of the inferior superior turbinate: does it affect olfactory ability or contain olfactory neuronal tissue?

BACKGROUND: One approach to the sphenoid sinus involves resection of the inferior portion of the superior turbinate. There is general agreement from anatomic investigations that this area contains olfactory mucosa. This study will determine if olfactory tissue can be found in the superior turbinate mucosa of patients with chronic sphenoiditis and what effect its removal has on a patient's olfactory ability. METHODS: The inferior one-third of the superior turbinate removed during endoscopic sphenoidotomy was stained with olfactory marker protein antibody, a marker for mature olfactory tissue. The specimens were graded for content of olfactory neuronal elements. All patients underwent uninasal 12-item smell identification testing before surgery and at least 3 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty-five superior turbinate samples were taken from 31 patients. Nine (16%) of 55 samples contained olfactory neuronal elements that stained with olfactory marker protein. When comparing the pre- and postoperative smell test results, 52% of the nostrils had no more than a one-item change, 35% of the nostrils had a more than one-item improvement, and only 12% had more than a one-item loss. None of the nostrils with a loss of olfactory ability after the surgery showed olfactory neuronal elements in their superior turbinate specimens. CONCLUSION: There is olfactory mucosa in approximately one-sixth of the superior turbinate specimens removed during the endoscopic transethmoidal sphenoidotomy procedure. Although 12% of the patients had a loss of olfactory ability in this study, none of the loss could be attributed to excision of olfactory tissue.     

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in nasal polyps treated with corticosteroid

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in nasal polyp cases who were administered topical corticosteroid and in middle turbinates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with nasal polyps were included in the study group. These patients were treated with 100 microg budesonide in each nostril twice daily for 2 months before the surgery. Twenty-one nonatopic patients with concha bullosa were included in the control group. The specimens were taken from patients undergoing endoscopic surgery. RESULTS: In polyps, significantly higher mean ICAM-1 intensity scores were found by comparison with the control turbinates. CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroid treatment in patients with nasal polyps does not diminish ICAM-1 to that of turbinate tissue. The initiating events in the formation of nasal polyps still occur in these patients despite treatment with the topical nasal steroid.     

Assessment the long-term effects of septoplasty surgery on olfactory function

Objectives: This research aimed to evaluate pre-operatively and post-operatively the olfactory function of patients who had undergone surgery in our clinic for chronic nasal blockage via the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) smell test.

Method: Thirty-seven patients (24 females, 13 males) were enrolled in this study. All had undergone surgery in our clinic due to chronic nasal blockage (not for smell dysfunction), having been diagnosed with septal deviation in conjunction with concha bullosa and/or inferior turbinate hypertrophy. This is a prospective study without a control group. The mean age was 33.74?±?8.98 (range =19–54). All of the operations were performed under general anesthesia. CCCRC smell tests were performed on every patient before the operation and at post-operative 1st week, 6th week, 6th month, and 1st year.

Results: In this study, we found that septoplasty, in conjunction with middle concha surgery and/or inferior concha radiofrequency, did not affect the olfactory function negatively.

Conclusion: Although nasal surgery has the potential to affect the smell function negatively, it was found that olfactory function was not affected after the surgery during a considerably long follow-up period. Moreover, an improvement in smell function was detected at post-operative 6th month and 1st year.     

Nasal and paranasal sinus anomalies in children with chronic sinusitis

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is being advocated to treat children with chronic sinusitis. The surgeon performing FESS needs an intimate understanding of the anatomy to adequately treat disease and avoid complications. One hundred thirty-six patients who had endoscopic sinus surgery were reviewed. Preoperative direct coronal computed tomography scans were available for review in 114 patients. Several nasal and paranasal sinus anomalies were uncovered during this evaluation. The most common was hypoplasia of the maxillary sinuses. All hypoplastic maxillary sinuses had diseased mucosa. Eleven patients were found to have a laterally deviated uncinate process and abnormal anatomy of the maxillary ostia. Other anomalies such as concha bullosa, Haller's cells, and paradoxic curvature of the middle turbinate were found, and their respective frequencies in this population were determined.     

The relationship between pneumatized middle turbinate and the anterior ethmoid roof dimensions: a radiologic study

The development of pneumatized middle turbinate may affect anterior ethmoid roof formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the pneumatized middle turbinate and the dimensions of the anterior skull base structures using computed tomography scans. The coronal reconstructed images of the computed tomography scans were evaluated retrospectively. The lateral and medial ethmoid roof points, the width of the cribriform plate (CP), and the anterior ethmoid roof were identified at the first coronal cut, which was determined by the infraorbital nerve. The pneumatized middle turbinates were measured on the axial, vertical, and sagittal planes. The images of 101 patients were evaluated. The mean axial diameters of the pneumatized middle turbinate on the right and left sides were between 6.93 and 4.95 mm, respectively. The correlation between the axial diameters of the pneumatized middle turbinate and the width of the anterior ethmoid roof (termed AER width) was significant for both sides and gender (p < 0.05). There was a higher correlation on the right side where the pneumatized middle turbinate was observed more frequently (r = 0.357). The relationship between CP width and the diameters of the pneumatized middle turbinate was not significant (p > 0.05) for both sides. Iatrogenic lesions of the skull base occur predominantly in the lateral lamella of the CP. The risk of this complication may decrease with increasing of the AER width. Pneumatized middle turbinate may cause an increase in the width of the anterior ethmoid roof and provide more reliable endoscopic intervention of the anterior skull base and frontal sinus.     

Large concha bullosa mucopyocele replacing the anterior ethmoid sinuses and contiguous with the frontal sinus

Concha bullosa, a pneumatized middle turbinate, is a common anatomic variant found in the paranasal sinuses. When a concha bullosa becomes obstructed, it can form a mucocele and, eventually, a mucopyocele if it becomes secondarily infected. This is a rare phenomenon; only 9 concha bullosa mucopyoceles have been previously reported in the English-language literature. We present the case of a large concha bullosa mucopyocele in a pediatric patient in which the concha bullosa replaced the anterior ethmoid sinuses and was contiguous with the frontal sinus.     

Nonsurgical versus endoscopic sinonasal surgery for rhinogenic headache

Headaches of sinonasal origin have been described lately. Terms such as middle turbinate syndrome have been used to describe this entity. The true incidence of this headache is unknown. A concha bullosa or a hypertrophied middle turbinate have been associated with these cases. Mucosal contact between the middle turbinate and the nasal septum or the lateral wall of the nose have been attributed as the cause of referred pain in the face. We present data on 23 individuals with refractory primary headache in the absence of any significant sinus symptoms. The duration of the symptoms of these individuals ranged between 4 and 13 years with a mean of 7.2 years. Fifteen patients agreed to undergo surgery, whereas eight refused surgery. After a mean of 23 months of follow-up, all those who did not have surgery continued to have pain that required excessive medications, whereas 60% of those who had surgery reported marked relief of their headaches. Those who had symptoms for less than 7 years had a greater chance of success (OR = 2). Sinonasal surgery seems to be helpful in alleviating primary headaches, especially in individuals whose duration of symptoms is less than 7 years.     

Antrochoanal polyposis: analysis of 34 cases

An antrochoanal polyp (ACP) is a benign polypoid lesion originating from the maxillary sinus and extending to the choana. The objective of our study is to assess etiological and associated features of ACPs, and outcome following surgical treatment. Thirty-four patients who had received surgical treatment for ACPs were followed for 35 ± 17.7 months. Factors including patient age, gender, history of allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, nasal septal deviation, turbinate hypertrophy, concha bullosa, accessory ostia, as well as the origin of the polyp, the surgical technique used and any recurrence, were evaluated. Overall, there were 12 females and 22 males. Mean age was 24.94 ± 8.08. Septal deviation was present in 50 %, turbinate hypertrophy in 32.3 %, concha bullosa in 17.6 %, mucous retention cyst in 32.3 %, allergic rhinitis in 44.11 %, and chronic sinusitis in 20.5 %. An accessory ostia was observed in 97.05 %. The functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) approach was used in 31 cases, and three cases had combined FESS and Caldwell Luc procedures. The mean follow-up time was 35.8 ± 17.7 months. Two cases, who had been treated with FESS alone, experienced a recurrence. In conclusion, the commonest predisposing factors for ACPs are chronic inflammatory pathologies such as chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. ACP left the maxillary sinus via an accessory ostium in 97.5 % of the cases. The FESS procedure is a safe and reliable method, and can be combined with the Caldwell Luc procedure when the origin of the maxillary component cannot be properly cleaned. In order to prevent recurrence, total extirpation of the maxillary component is essential.     

Nasal polyps in the olfactory cleft

Objectives: Nasal polyps frequently arise from the middle meatus in patients with nasal polyposis, but caution is required when polyps are seen protruding from the olfactory cleft. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a method to achieve effective and safe access to the olfactory cleft, and to determine the actual incidence of polyps arising from the olfactory cleft in patients with nasal polyposis. Patients: Eighty-four patients with bilateral or unilateral nasal polyps (n = 143) ranging in age from 16 to 72 years underwent endoscopic sinus surgery in the period from January 1994 to December 1996. Methods: To observe and gain access to the olfactory cleft, septoplasty combined with endoscopic sinus surgery was needed in patients with nasal polyposis. Results: The endoscopy during the combined septoplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery revealed that 36.4% (n = 52) of bilateral or unilateral nasal polyps (n = 143) arose from the olfactory cleft. Of 52 polyps of olfactory cleft origin, 45 (86.5%) arose from the superior turbinate and/or superior meatus, 32 (67.3%) from the medial side of the middle turbinate, 24 (46.2%) from the anterior face of the sphenoid sinus, and 17 (32.7%) from the mucosa of the nasal septum. Conclusions: These findings suggest that for surgeries of nasal polyposis an approach to the olfactory cleft as well as to the middle meatus is required.