Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T19:29:02.229Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

‘Conchae bullosis’: a rare case with bilateral triple turbinate pneumatisations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2012

O Ozturan ,
A Yenigun ,
N Degirmenci  and
F Yilmaz
O Ozturan
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Bezmiâlem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
A Yenigun*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Bezmiâlem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
N Degirmenci
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Bezmiâlem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
F Yilmaz
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Bezmiâlem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Alper Yenigun, Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, Karaman State Hospital, 1 Turgut Özal St, Karaman, Turkey Fax: +90 338 226 33 09 E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background:

Concha bullosa is the pneumatisation of intranasal conchae (usually the middle turbinate, and rarely the inferior or superior turbinate); however, the term is generally used to describe aeration of the middle concha. Superior concha bullosa is a rare finding, and only a few cases of inferior concha bullosa have been reported in the medical literature. When symptomatic, concha bullosa may cause various problems including nasal congestion, headache, postnasal drip, anosmia and, sometimes, epiphora.

Methodology:

Computed tomography, following history-taking and physical examination, is a valuable tool in diagnosing turbinate pneumatisation. This article presents a very rare case with bilateral triple conchae pneumatisations.

Results:

The symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment options for cases of multiple concha bullosa are discussed. The surgical interventions performed in the presented case are briefly described.

Conclusion:

The presented patient had pneumatisation of all six turbinates. In such cases, we propose that this condition be termed ‘conchae bullosis’ rather than ‘conchae bullosa’, in a similar fashion to the use of nasal polyposis as the plural form of nasal polyp.

Keywords

AnatomyNasal CavityNasal SinusesTurbinatesComputed Tomography
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 1 , January 2013 , pp. 73 - 75
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Navarro, JAC. Surgical anatomy of the nose, paranasal sinuses, and pterygopalatine fossa. In: Draf, W, Stamm, AC, eds. Microendoscopic Surgery of the Paranasal Sinuses and the Skull Base. Berlin: Springer, 2000;17–34 Google Scholar
2 Bolger, WE. Anatomy of the paranasal sinuses. In: Kennedy, DW, Bolger, WE, Zinreich, SJ, eds. Disease of the Sinuses. London: B C Decker, 2001;1–12 Google Scholar
3 Unlu, HH, Altuntas, A, Aslan, A, Eskiizmir, G, Yücel, A. Inferior concha bullosa. J Otolaryngol 2002;31:62–4Google Scholar
4 Uzun, L, Aslan, G, Mahmutyazicioglu, K, Yazgan, H, Savranlar, A. Is pneumatization of middle turbinates compensatory or congenital? Dentomaxillofac Radiol 2012;41:564–70Google Scholar
5 Zinreich, SJ, Mattox, DE, Kennedy, DW, Chisholm, HL, Diffley, DM, Rosenbaum, AE. Concha bullosa: CT evaluation. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1988;12:778–84Google Scholar
6 Dawlaty, EE. Inferior concha bullosa – a radiological and clinical rarity. Rhinology 1999;37:133–5Google Scholar
7 Stammberger, H. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. Philadelphia: Marcel Decker, 1991;160–9Google Scholar
8 Dogru, H, Doner, F, Uygur, K, Gedikli, O, Cetin, M. Pneumatized inferior turbinate. Am J Otolaryngol 1999;20:139–41Google Scholar
9 Cankaya, H, Egeli, E, Kutluhan, A, Kiriş, M. Pneumatization of the concha inferior as a cause of nasal obstruction. Rhinology 2001;39:109–10Google Scholar
10 Ozcan, C, Gorur, K, Nass Duce, M. Massive bilateral inferior concha bullosa. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2002;111:100–1Google Scholar
11 Yang, BT, Chong, VFH, Wang, ZC, Xian, JF, Chen, QH. CT appearance of pneumatized inferior turbinate. Clin Radiol 2008;63:901–5Google Scholar
12 Braun, H, Stammberger, H. Pneumatization of turbinates. Laryngoscope 2003;113:668–72Google Scholar