Download PDF
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2017; 21(04): 366-370
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1598649
Original Research
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Computed Tomography Measurement of Inferior Turbinate in Asymptomatic Adult

Mohammad Waheed El-Anwar
1   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
,
Atef A. Hamed
1   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
,
Ghada Abdulmonaem
2   Department of Radio Diagnosis, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
,
Ismail Elnashar
1   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
,
Inas M. Elfiki
2   Department of Radio Diagnosis, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

05 April 2016

28 November 2016

Publication Date:
28 February 2017 (online)

   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Introduction The inferior turbinate (IT) is the most susceptible turbinate to enlargement causing nasal obstruction. The common belief ascribes most of the enlargement of the IT to mucosal elements.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the detailed computed tomography (CT) measurement of the IT in asymptomatic adult by determining the thickness of both the non-bony (mucosa) and bony parts and their relation to nasal air space in different related areas of the nose.

Methods We included in the study paranasal CT scans of 108 individuals (216 IT) that had no paranasal pathology. We acquired axial images with multiplanar reformates to obtain delicate details in coronal and sagittal planes for all subjects. We took separate measurements of the thickness of the medial mucosa, bones, and lateral mucosa of the IT on the anterior and posterior portions of ITs. We also measured the air space of the nasal cavity between the septum and IT anteriorly and posteriorly.

Results The difference in the air space between nasal septum, anterior and posterior ends of IT was extremely statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The thickness of the medial mucosa was extremely significantly more than the lateral mucosa width (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in length of IT at both sides (p = 0.5781).

Conclusion The detailed CT measurement of the IT in normal adult is an easy and novel measurement. This study lays the foundation for CT measurement of IT for further work that can describe changes in IT measures after turbinate surgery.

Keywords

nose - multislice computed tomography - turbinates
 

  • References

  • 1 Haight JS, Cole P. The site and function of the nasal valve. Laryngoscope 1983; 93 (01) 49-55
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Lai VW, Corey JP. The objective assessment of nasal patency. Ear Nose Throat J 1993; 72 (06) 395-396 , 399–400
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Li KK, Powell NB, Riley RW, Troell RJ, Guilleminault C. Radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction for treatment of turbinate hypertrophy: a pilot study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998; 119 (06) 569-573
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Seeger J, Zenev E, Gundlach P, Stein T, Müller G. Bipolar radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy of turbinate hypertrophy: pilot study and 20 months’ follow-up. Laryngoscope 2003; 113 (01) 130-135
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Fairbanks DN. Snoring: surgical vs. nonsurgical management. Laryngoscope 1984; 94 (09) 1188-1192
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Proetz AW. Physiology of the nose from the standpoint of the plastic surgeon. Arch Otolaryngol 1994; 39 (06) 514-517
    Google Scholar
  • 7 Berger G, Hammel I, Berger R, Avraham S, Ophir D. Histopathology of the inferior turbinate with compensatory hypertrophy in patients with deviated nasal septum. Laryngoscope 2000; 110 (12) 2100-2105
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Gindros G, Kantas I, Balatsouras DG, Kandiloros D, Manthos AK, Kaidoglou A. Mucosal changes in chronic hypertrophic rhinitis after surgical turbinate reduction. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2009; 266 (09) 1409-1416
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Mrig S, Agarwal AK, Passey JC. Preoperative computed tomographic evaluation of inferior turbinate hypertrophy and its role in deciding surgical treatment modality in patients with deviated nasal septum. Int J Morphol 2009; 27 (02) 503-506
    Google Scholar
  • 10 Egeli E, Demirci L, Yazýcý B, Harputluoglu U. Evaluation of the inferior turbinate in patients with deviated nasal septum by using computed tomography. Laryngoscope 2004; 114 (01) 113-117
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Chhabra N, Houser SM. The surgical management of allergic rhinitis. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2011; 44 (03) 779-795 , xi
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Doorly DJ, Taylor DJ, Schroter RC. Mechanics of airflow in the human nasal airways. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2008; 163 (1-3): 100-110
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar