What is concha bullosa of the middle turbinates?
A concha bullosa (CB) represents the presence of air cell in the turbinates, and the middle turbinate (MT) concha bullosa is a common nasal cavity anatomical variation. Pneumatization of the MT happens due to variation in the ethmoidal air cell system development.
Is concha bullosa normal?
A concha bullosa is a pneumatized (air-filled) cavity within a nasal concha, also known as a turbinate. Bullosa refers to the air-filled cavity within the turbinate. It is a normal anatomic variant seen in up to half the population.
Can concha bullosa cause headaches?
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.
Is concha bullosa a polyp?
Concha bullosa is a cystic distension of the middle nasal concha. This is a common anatomic variation of the middle turbinate, however, polyp formation within concha bullosa is rare.
Can concha bullosa go away?
Most of the time, concha bullosa symptoms are not severe enough to require treatment. However, if treatment is necessary, surgery is the only option to eliminate the air pocket. The three surgical methods include crushing, resection, and turbinoplasty. Crushing is a commonly used method to treat concha bullosa.
What is left sided concha bullosa?
Concha bullosa happens when one of the conchae, or turbinates, inside your nose becomes filled with a pocket of air. This is also known as pneumatization of the turbinate. There are three pairs of conchae in your nose on either side of the septum. Your septum is the structure that divides your nose in half.
Can turbinates be removed?
Surgical removal of underlying bone or tissue surrounding the turbinates is usually reserved for more serious cases of turbinate enlargement. It’s often done during a septoplasty. A septoplasty also involves cutting into the nasal cavity to correct a deviated septum.
How long does it take to recover from turbinate surgery?
Although you may be able to return to work in 1 to 2 weeks, full recovery from turbinate surgery may take 6 weeks or more. Call your surgeon if you experience: fever. severe headache or a stiff neck.
What does the middle turbinate do?
Middle turbinate is an important landmark which forms the medial wall of the ethmoid sinus. It is associated with many functions of the nasal cavity, including humidification, lubrication of the upper airways, regulation of airflow and temperature, olfaction and filtration 1.
How is concha bullosa treated?
Can concha bullosa go away on its own?
Most of the time, concha bullosa symptoms are not severe enough to require treatment. However, if treatment is necessary, surgery is the only option to eliminate the air pocket.
What is a turbinate?
Turbinates are small structures inside the nose that cleanse and humidify air that passes through the nostrils into the lungs.
What kind of turbinate does concha bullosa have?
A concha bullosa is a pneumatized middle turbinate and has a reported prevalence of 34%19 ( Fig. 2.10 ). A concha bullosa is readily identified on CT, but endoscopic recognition may be difficult.
Is there an air pocket in the middle of concha bullosa?
While the upper passageway has the opening to the sphenoidal sinus. Concha bullosa is also known as the pneumatization of the middle turbinate. 2 This just means that there is an air pocket in the middle concha.
What is the prevalence of concha bullosa on CT?
A concha bullosa is a pneumatized middle turbinate and has a reported prevalence of 34%19 ( Fig. 2.10 ). A concha bullosa is readily identified on CT, but endoscopic recognition may be difficult. An unremarkable middle turbinate during endoscopy may show extensive pneumatization on CT.
What does the term concha bullosa stand for?
The term concha bullosa refers to an aerated turbinate, most often the middle turbinate, either unilateral or bilateral. In most cases it an incidental finding. However, it can be quite large and narrows the nasal air passage.