Case Reports

Pneumatization of bilateral inferior turbinates: case report

10.5350/BTDMJB201309109

  • Fatih Akagün
  • Banu Atalay Erdoğan
  • Fatih Bora

Received Date: 04.03.2011 Accepted Date: 29.03.2011 Med J Bakirkoy 2013;9(1):36-38

Nasal turbinates are very important for normal nasal functions. Warming, humidification, filtration and regulation of air flow are the main functions of turbinates. Pneumatization of inferior turbinate which is known as inferior concha bullosa is an anatomic variation and less than the pneumatization of middle turbinate. Although usually asymptomatic, severe pneumatized and inferior hypertrophic turbinates can cause nasal obstruction and headache. Mostly; pneumatization of inferior turbinate is detected incidentaly on paranasal computerized tomography. Treatment is not always necessary but in some symptomatic cases surgery may be required. There is no consensus about surgical management. Paranasal sinus and turbinate surgical treatment focuses on techniques that affect the functions of the lowest rate. In this report, a 35 year old inferior concha bullosa case who suffers from nasal obstruction is presented and the symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment options are discussed.

Keywords: Nasal turbinate, computerized tomography, nasal obstruction