Pneumatization of turbinates

OBJECTIVES: To present unusual computed tomography (CT) findings concerning huge pneumatization of turbinates and paranasal sinuses in one patient. In current world literature the authors only found nine reports of pneumatization of inferior turbinates, which, therefore, must be considered an extremely rare anatomical finding. STUDY DESIGN: Case report and literature review. METHODS: Computed tomography findings in a 35-year-old white woman with nasal obstruction are presented; and the authors describe this additional case of pneumatization of an inferior turbinate, as well as other variants. The literature and nomenclature are reviewed. RESULTS: Besides the rare anatomical finding of a pneumatized inferior turbinate, in addition, both patient middle and superior turbinates were pneumatized bilaterally. Frontal and sphenoid sinuses were huge, with pneumatization of the crista galli and the posterior parts of the septum. The floor of the orbit presented with an orbitoethmoid (Haller) cell on one side. Thus, five of the six turbinates present were pneumatized. To the authors' knowledge, no other case of such extreme pneumatization has been published in world literature to date. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas pneumatization of the ethmoturbinals is a frequent finding on sinus computed tomography scans, pneumatization of the maxilloturbinal remains an extremely rare anatomical variant. Pneumatization of ethmoid cells and secondary sinuses is considered an active achievement of nasal and sinus mucosa during fetal development and adolescence. The underlying mechanisms of this process are not yet understood. The inferior turbinate is the least likely to present with pneumatization. In clinical practice, the pneumatization status should well be studied on the scans before any sinus and turbinate surgery is undertaken.     

Isolated turbinitis and pneumatization of the concha inferior in a child

Concha bullosa of the inferior turbinate is an extremely rare anatomic malformation with 11 reports of this condition in the literature. The inferior turbinate is an independent bone originating from the lateral nasal wall. Although inferior concha bullosa is generally asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally by computed tomography, nasal obstruction, headache, and epiphora are some of the possible symptoms. Isolated turbinitis with no additional paranasal infection is also very rare. Although there is only 1 reported case of pediatric inferior concha bullosa before, this case is the first pneumatized inferior concha with associated isolated turbinitis.     

低温等离子消融术与下鼻甲成形术治疗慢性鼻炎的对比研究

目的 通过研究低温等离子消融术与下鼻甲成形术术后患者鼻塞改善情况和对鼻腔黏膜纤毛功能的影响,探讨治疗慢性鼻炎更有效的方法。方法 选取慢性鼻炎患者40例,随机分为两组,分别行等离子消融术(A组)与下鼻甲成形术(B组)。术前,术后1周、1个月、3个月分别用VAS评分评价患者鼻腔症状。糖精试验评价术前及术后3个月患者鼻腔黏膜纤毛传送功能。结果 等离子组术中出血、手术时间较下鼻甲成形组明显减少,且术后并发症较少;术后3个月两组患者鼻塞均有明显改善;两种手术方式对鼻腔黏膜纤毛功能无影响。结论 对单纯黏膜肥厚的慢性鼻炎,等离子消融疗效显著;对鼻甲骨质肥厚或形态异常的慢性鼻炎,下鼻甲成形术效果好。     

等离子下鼻甲部分消融术与吸切钻下鼻甲部分切除术

目的比较等离子下鼻甲部分消融术与吸切钻下鼻甲部分切除术对慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者术中、术后的影响。方法等离子组患者25例,对照组14例。等离子组用低温等离子射频消融系统连接45号刀头,行下鼻甲前、后部中隔侧的4～6通道消融。对照组用吸切钻自前向后切割下鼻甲肥厚黏膜,术后需填塞止血2日。术后患者对疼痛和鼻堵程度采用VAS评分。术前、术后1个月、3个月、6个月均由医师对每侧下鼻甲进行评分,由患者评估鼻堵程度和频度。结果等离子组术中出血较对照组明显减少,术后疼痛和鼻堵程度较轻。术后1个月等离子组和对照组的鼻堵程度、鼻堵频度和下鼻甲体积较术前均有明显改善,二者改善的程度无明显差别。术后3个月两种术式均疗效稳定且等离子组鼻堵频度进一步改善。术后6个月两种术式疗效依然稳定。结论等离子下鼻甲部分消融术创伤小,术中、术后出血少,痛苦小;术后1个月患者主观症状与客观体征均有明显改善;术后3个月患者主观症状进一步改善;术后6个月内疗效均稳定且与吸切钻下鼻甲部分切除术疗效相当。     

Radiofrequency energy tissue ablation for the treatment of nasal obstruction secondary to turbinate hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that the success rate of radiofrequency energy (RFe) tissue ablation of the inferior turbinate for nasal obstruction achieved by previous investigators would be improved by using a longer needle electrode and creating two lesions per turbinate. METHODS: Ten patients with nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy were prospectively enrolled. A 40-mm needle delivered RFe to two sites in each inferior turbinate. Patients used a visual analog scale (VAS) to grade nasal obstruction preoperatively and at 1 week and 8 weeks after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative digital images of the nasal cavity were graded for obstruction (0% to 100%) in a blinded manner. RESULTS: All patients (100%) were subjectively improved at 8 weeks. Mean obstruction (VAS) improved from 50%+/-21% to 16%+/-15% (right side) and from 53%+/-29% to 13%+/-13% (left side). Mean improvements were 68% (right side) (P = .004) and 75% (left side) (P = .001). Mean obstruction graded during blinded review of nasal cavity images improved from 73.5%+/-8% to 51%+/-8% (right side) and from 76%+/-6% to 64%+/-7% (left side). Of nine patients using medications for nasal obstruction before treatment, eight (89%) noted no further need for medications at 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: The use of RFe for submucosal tissue ablation in the hypertrophied inferior turbinate is an effective modality for reducing symptoms of nasal obstruction. Improved results may occur by using a longer needle and creating two lesions per turbinate. Of patients in this study, 100% reported improvement of nasal obstruction.     

Infected inferior turbinate pneumatization

With the widespread utilization of endoscopic nasal surgery, the interest in nasal structures has increased. Inferior turbinate pneumatization is among the most rare causes of nasal obstruction. In the current literature, there are only ten reported cases of inferior turbinate pneumatization. A 52-year-old male patient presented with nasal obstruction, purulent nasal discharge, facial pain and headache. Anterior rhinoscopic examination showed bilateral middle and inferior turbinate hypertrophy and edema of the nasal mucosa. Computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral frontal, anterior and posterior ethmoidal and maxillary sinusitis with bilateral concha media bullosa and right infected inferior turbinate pneumatization. In this report, infection of this rare anatomical abnormality is presented for the first time and documented with acoustic rhinometry, CT and peroperative photography.     

鼻内镜下改良下鼻甲成形术与下鼻甲低温等离子消融加骨折外移术治疗重度慢性肥厚性鼻炎的临床对比研究

目的 将鼻内镜下改良下鼻甲成形术与下鼻甲低温等离子消融加骨折外移术治疗重度慢性肥厚性鼻炎(下鼻甲黏膜、骨膜及骨质均增生肥大、鼻甲形态异常、VAS评分重度)进行对比研究。 方法 回顾性分析124例重度慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者,按照手术方式分为A(64例)、B(60例)两组,A组采用改良下鼻甲成形术,B组采用下鼻甲低温等离子消融加骨折外移术。术前1周、术后6个月、术后12个月分别用VAS标准评分患者鼻腔症状。糖精试验评价术前1周及术后6个月两组患者鼻腔黏膜纤毛传送功能。术前1周及术后6个月测定鼻阻力,评定鼻塞改善情况。 结果 下鼻甲低温等离子消融加骨折外移术组术中出血、手术时间较改良下鼻甲成形组明显减少,且术后并发症较少;术后6个月两种患者鼻塞均有显著改善;两种手术方式对鼻腔黏膜纤毛功能均无明显影响。A组平均手术时间27.80 min、并发症发生率9.38%,B组平均手术时间19.10 min、并发症发生率6.67%。两组患者术后6个月VAS平均评分差异无统计学意义(P=0.12),术后12个月差异有统计学意义(P=0.03)。 结论 改良下鼻甲成形术与下鼻甲低温等离子消融加骨折外移术治疗重度慢性肥厚性鼻炎近期效果(6个月内)都良好,但远期效果(1年以上)改良下鼻甲成形术效果更好,因而建议对于重度慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者应因人而异精准诊疗。     

鼻内镜下鼻甲成形术疗效分析

目的分析鼻内镜不同下鼻甲成形术的疗效。方法将138例患者随机分为两组,所有患者均同时接受双侧下鼻甲的同一术式处理。A组72例,行双侧下鼻甲骨黏骨膜下骨质部分切除术;B组66例,行双侧下鼻甲骨折外移术。比较两组患者术后1、6及12个月的恢复以及疗效情况。结果两组患者术后12个月疗效具有统计学意义(P<0.01);两组鼻阻塞视觉模拟评分术后6、12个月比较,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）,鼻阻力检测术后12个月比较差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。A组远期疗效优于B组。结论两种术式都保留了下鼻甲的黏膜以及舒缩功能的血窦组织,在进行有效减容的同时,保留下鼻甲正常的功能, 但从远期效果来看,下鼻甲前端黏骨膜下入路骨部分切除术的疗效明显好于下鼻甲骨折外移术,对于下鼻甲黏膜下组织增生或（和）下鼻甲骨质增生所引起的鼻阻塞均有良好的效果,值得适当放宽手术适应证。     

A concha bullosa mucopyocele manifesting as migraine headaches: a case report and literature review

A concha bullosa is a common anatomic variant that represents an aerated turbinate, usually the middle turbinate. It is usually asymptomatic. When extensively pneumatized, a large concha bullosa may cause significant problems, including headache, nasal obstruction, and blockage of sinus drainage. We report a case of a large concha bullosa mucopyocele that manifested as recurring migraine headaches. It was successfully treated with surgical excision. We also review the available literature.     

Long-term results of trimming of the inferior turbinates

The long-term benefit of trimming of the inferior turbinates for nasal obstruction is unclear and our aim was to assess this. Fourteen patients who had had pre-operative nasal symptom scores and anterior rhinomanometry prior to inferior turbinate resection were reassessed at least 7 years post-operatively. Both nasal symptom scores for obstruction and nasal resistance had increased significantly in the intervening time period. Nasal crusting and hypertrophy of the cut inferior turbinate are considered to be responsible for this. Patients should be warned some degree of nasal obstruction may recur post-operatively.     

射频消融术治疗慢性肥厚性鼻炎

目的：探讨射频消融治疗慢性肥厚性鼻炎所致鼻塞的效果及对鼻黏膜功能的影响。方法：采用射频消融术治疗慢性肥厚性鼻炎60例的双侧下鼻甲，术前及术后3个月应用视觉模拟评分表（visual analogue scale, VAS）评价鼻塞的主观感觉；应用糖精试验法测定术前及术后3个月的鼻腔黏膜纤毛输送率（mucociliary transport rate, MTR）。结果：术前鼻塞VAS评分左侧为（68.7±9.6）%，右侧为（72.5±10.2）%；术后3个月左侧为（35.0±9.0）%，右侧为（40.3±10.6）%，与术前相比，差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.01）。随访3个月，双侧下鼻甲与鼻中隔的最小距离从术前小于0.2?cm增加到术后大于0.3?cm。术前鼻黏膜纤毛MTR为（7.64±1.56）mm/min，术后3个月鼻黏膜纤毛MTR为（6.89±2.01）mm/min，与术前比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论：射频消融术是治疗慢性肥厚性鼻炎所致鼻塞的较好方法，对鼻黏膜纤毛无明显影响，未破坏鼻黏膜纤毛的正常生理功能     

Long-term results after argon plasma coagulation (APC) inferior turbinates reduction

Interior turbinate hypertrophy is one of the major causes of nasal airway obstruction. Medical treatment often produces insufficient improvements. In these cases, surgical reduction of inferior turbinates can be proposed. Authors analyzed long-term results of argon plasma coagulation (APC) for inferior turbinates reduction in patients with chronic nasal obstruction. Rhinomanometric parameters, clearance of saccharine test results and cytological examination were statistically analyzed in 70 patients after 3 month and in 47 after 12 month after surgery. Five patients received a second operation. Only patients with first degree in T/S (turbinate/septum) nasal septum deviation were enrolled in both groups. Every patients were treated ineffectively with nasal drops. All patients received topical anesthesia. The procedure of APC were easy to perform end we did not experience postoperative bleeding. Rhinomanometric measurement demonstrated a significant nasal flow at 3 and 12 month after APC. Before 3 and 12 month after surgery the values for resistance shoved significant difference. There were no changes in saccharine transit - time during the follow-up period. At 3 postoperative month, the nasal stuffiness had improved 62 (88%) patients. At 12 month after surgery, the nasal stuffines had improved 34 (73%) patients. APC was shown to effectively reduce the symptom of nasal obstruction without any complications. Argon Plasma Coagulation should be an alternative method in treating the patients with hyperplastic inferior turbinate.     

A randomised clinical trial of turbinectomy for compensatory turbinate hypertrophy in patients with anterior septal deviations

Turbinectomy is performed at the time of nasal septal surgery by many otolaryngologists. One reason given for this procedure is the presence of a hypertrophied contralateral inferior turbinate. A randomised trial was undertaken to evaluate the relief of nasal obstruction following contralateral turbinectomy with septal surgery. Patients presenting with nasal obstruction who had a unilateral septal deviation and contralateral inferior turbinate enlargement were prospectively randomized to contralateral turbinectomy or no turbinate surgery at the time of septal surgery. Questionnaires and active anterior rhinomanometry were used for evaluation. Twenty-six patients (mean age 31 years) demonstrated a reduction in subjective and objective measures of nasal obstruction (P < 0.05) 8 weeks after operation. There was no intergroup difference, the median total decongested nasal resistance postoperatively in the non-turbinectomized patients was 0.17 kPal-1 s and 0.21 kPal-1 s in the turbinectomized patients. Contralateral inferior turbinectomy does not add to the relief of nasal obstruction beyond that attained by septal surgery in these patients.     

鼻内镜下改良下鼻甲成形术临床观察

目的 探讨鼻内镜下改良下鼻甲成形术的临床疗效及手术技巧。方法 114例慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者随机分组,A组57例行鼻内镜下改良下鼻甲成形术,B组57例行鼻科微型切吸器下鼻甲黏膜下切除术,比较两组的疗效。结果 两组患者术后鼻阻力值及VAS评分均较术前显著降低（P<0.05）;两组间术后1月时鼻阻力及VAS评分比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,而术后1年时均下降（P<0.05）;A组术后近、远期疗效差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,B组有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 改良下鼻甲成形术的远期疗效明显好于以微型切吸刀头行黏膜下组织切吸术,是改善慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者鼻塞的理想方法。     

射频消融治疗下鼻甲肥厚所致鼻塞的疗效

目的 :探讨射频消融治疗下鼻甲肥厚所致鼻塞的效果。方法 :对 18例下鼻甲肥大致鼻塞患者采用射频消融术缩小双侧下鼻甲 ,术前及术后 3个月应用视觉模拟评分表 (VAS)来评价鼻塞的主观感觉。结果 :患者术前鼻塞VAS评分左侧为 (6 7.7± 9.4 ) % ,右侧为 (70 .5± 10 .5 ) % ;术后 3个月左侧为 (4 5 .0± 9.0 ) % ,右侧为(5 3.3± 11.6 ) % ,左右侧分别与术前比较 ,差异均有极显著性意义 (均P <0 .0 1)。随访 3个月 ,检查双侧下鼻甲与鼻中隔的最小距离从术前小于 0 .2cm增加到术后大于 0 .3cm。结论 :射频消融术是安全、有效、微创地治疗下鼻甲肥大所致鼻塞的较好治疗方法     

KTP laser inferior turbinoplasty: an alternative procedure to treat the nasal obstruction

OBJECTIVE: Nasal obstruction resulting from inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) was treated with KTP laser inferior turbinoplasty (KIT). The effectiveness of the procedure was assessed. METHODS: A prospective clinical trial was carried out in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital from October 1, 1998 to September 30, 2000. Forty-eight patients with chronic nasal obstruction underwent KIT. Nasal obstruction was pre- and postoperatively assessed, based on 4-point scale, by the patient and investigator. The scores were compared by paired t-test. The correlation of assessment by the patient and investigator was also demonstrated by weighted kappa test. Pre- and postoperative rhinomanometric evaluations were performed in 29 patients and were compared with paired t-test. RESULTS: Significant reduction of nasal obstruction was obtained from assessment by the patient (P<0.000) and by the investigator (P<0.000). The symptoms of sneezing, itching and rhinorrhea were significantly reduced postoperatively (P<0.000). The cure and improvement rate of nasal obstruction were at 70.8 and 100% (assessed by the patient) and at 77.1 and 100% (assessed by the investigator) respectively, and they showed a moderate correlation (Kw=0.65). Rhinomanometrically, the total airway resistance decreased but of not statistic significance (P=0.219), however, the inspired nasal airflow at 150 Pa and the volume of nasal cavities were significantly increased (P<0.00 and P<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: KIP was shown to effectively reduce the symptom and sign of nasal obstruction as well as other nasal symptoms without any significant complications. It should be an alternative method in treating the patients with nasal obstruction resulting from hyperplastic inferior turbinate.     

等离子低温射频消融治疗鼻塞疗效评价

目的评价等离子低温射频治疗下鼻甲肥厚的主观远期疗效。方法采用前瞻性非随机研究,均为门诊患者。美国Afthrocare等离子低温射频手术系统行下鼻甲消融,VAS评分法评价治疗前后鼻塞程度,t检验分析治疗前,治疗后2个月,治疗后1年疗效差异。结果治疗前后VAS统计学差异显著,1年后满意率100％,1次治疗满意率95％,除1例感染外,无其他并发症。结论等离子低温射频是目前下鼻甲肥大消融治疗的微创、安全、有效的方法。     

Radiofrequency turbinate reduction: a NOSE evaluation

BACKGROUND: The symptoms and treatments for nasal obstruction are numerous and common. Yet, a consensus on a surgical approach or, even more importantly, how to define the success of any approach is lacking in the literature. A disease-specific outcomes instrument recently developed by the American Academy of Otolaryngology, known as the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale, has allowed for a validated, uniform method to compare different treatments for nasal obstruction. METHODS: Using the NOSE scale, we prospectively compared the use of bilateral radiofrequency inferior turbinate reduction (BRITR) only with that of BRITR with septoplasty in the treatment of nasal obstruction caused by the combination of septal deviation and turbinate hypertrophy. NOSE scores were obtained pretreatment and at 3 month and 6 month follow-up. RESULTS: Our data demonstrated significant improvement from baseline after 6 months for the NOSE scores in both the BRITR (P < .001) and BRITR/septoplasty groups (P = .023). No statistical difference was noted in the amount of postoperative improvement between the two treatment groups (P = .304). Both groups did demonstrate a large, clinically important effect using a distribution-based assessment of clinical change. Despite equal clinically effective results, estimated costs for each treatment option differed significantly, with the office-based BRITR only group providing significant cost savings compared with the hospital-based BRITR/septoplasty group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that BRITR should be considered as an initial treatment option for nasal obstruction rather than a septoplasty with turbinate reduction in patients with the clinical findings of both a septal deviation and turbinate hypertrophy after failure of medical therapy.     

Dehiscence of the greater palatine nerve. A risk factor in inferior turbinectomy?

Inferior turbinectomy, often combined with septal surgery, is frequently performed in the surgical treatment of nasal obstruction. A patient with post-operative greater palatine anaesthesia occurring after this procedure prompted a study of the anatomy of the greater palatine nerve in the region of the inferior turbinate. Sixty-four lateral nasal walls were examined in cadavers. A dehiscence rate of 22% was noted, and in an additional 55% there was only a minimal bony covering to the nerve. Dehiscences occurred exclusively in the inferior meatus, anterior to the posterior bony end of the inferior turbinate. The narrow antero-posterior extent of the dehiscence, the hard dense lateral nasal wall bone and the lateral position of the nerve in the canal help to protect the nerve from surgical trauma during turbinate surgery.     

Nasal schwannoma: a case report and clinicopathologic analysis.

According to the literature, half of the schwannoma cases occur in the head and neck areas and only less than 4% occur in the sinonasal tract. In this case, a 39-year-old male patient, with a-year-long progressive left side nasal obstruction and purulent rhinorrhea, is presented. The CT reveals a mass filling the left nasal cavity and nasopharyngeal space, with bony erosion of the inferior turbinate and medial maxillary bone. During surgical intervention, the mass is found to originate from the medial side of the left middle turbinate with maxillary sinusitis and inferior turbinate atrophy. The pathological examination reveals a noncapsulated tumor with palisading cellular arrangement and high cellular density. The pathological findings and nervous origin of the tumor are discussed after an extensive review of the literature.