Abstract

Pneumatized middle turbinate, concha bullosa, is a common anatomic variant. In the vast majority of cases it is asymptomatic. In some patients it may cause contact headache or secondary sinusitis. It may also hamper access to the middle meatus during endoscopic sinus surgery. In this paper we describe a simple minimally invasive turbinoplasty technique to reduce the size of concha bullosa. The technique was used in 42 patients. The patients were followed up for 12-18 months. The turbinates retained their reduced size and stability at the end of the follow up period. Also, we did not observe any mucocele formation or adhesions between the turbinates and the surrounding structures. The technique is best used when the air cells within the turbinates are large. Resective techniques, on the other hand, may be used when enlargement of the turbinates is due to hypertrophy of its tissues rather than the presence of air cells.

Keywords: Concha; Bullosa; Middle turbinate, Turbinoplasty