Abstract
Introduction A pneumatized turbinate, also called concha bullosa, is a normal anatomical variant
of the paranasal sinus region. Depending on the site of pneumatization, the concha
is classified into extensive, bulbous or lamellar type. The middle turbinate concha
bullosa has been implicated as a possible etiological factor in chronic sinusitis.
Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical variations of the concha
bullosa, based on paranasal sinus imaging, and its possible association with sinusitis.
Methods This prospective descriptive study was performed at the Department of ENT and Head
Neck Surgery over a period of one year, from 2016 to 2017. We studied the computed
tomography scans of the nose and paranasal sinuses— in axial, coronal and sagittal
planes—of patients who had symptoms of nasal obstruction, or headache and features
of chronic sinusitis.
Results Out of the 202 scans studied, the prevalence of concha bullosa was 31.7%. The concha
was bilateral in 35 (54.7%) patients and unilateral in 29 (45.3%) patients. Out of
99 conchae, 54 were on the right side and 45 were on left side. Ipsilateral sinusitis
was found in 40.4% of the sides in the scans of subjects with concha. There was no
statistically significant association between any type of middle turbinate concha
with sinusitis, but sinusitis was more predominant with the extensive type of concha
(p > 0.05).
Conclusion Multiple air cells, mucocele, pyocele and inflammatory mucosal thickenings in the
concha are relatively rare. Detailed knowledge of anatomic variations of the concha
bullosa is imperative for the radiologists and the operating surgeons.
Keywords
sinusitis - turbinates - mucocele
