A Study of Morphology of Air Cells in the Middle Turbinate and It’s Relationship With Sinusitis and Deviated Nasal Septum

Abstract

Concha bullosa, the pneumatisation of the middle turbinate is commonly found as an anatomical variation and is said to be usually associated with deviated nasal septum. It is classified into bulbous, lamellar and extensive variety. METHODS: 100 coronal CT images of chronic sinusitis patients of both sexes were studied for the 3 varieties of concha bullosa and its association with deviated nasal septum and sinusitis. RESULTS: The concha bullosa found was classified into lamellar (23%), bulbous (3%) and extensive (16%) variety based on the definitions and compared. The results obtained shows that in southern Tamil Nadu population the lamellar variety of concha bullosa was more prevalent than the other two varieties. Also a significant relationship was found to exist between concha bullosa, deviated nasal septum and sinusitis (19%). Similarly, the association of concha bullosa and deviated nasal septum and with sinusitis was seen in 16% and 4% respectively. CONCLUSION: Hence the study suggests that the otolaryngologists should be aware of the prevalence of lamellar variety of concha bullosa and familiar with the coexistence of concha bullosa, deviated nasal septum and sinusitis for proper interpretation and diagnosis.