Relationships among concha bullosa, nasal septal deviation, and sinusitis: Retrospective analysis of 296 cases

Ear Nose Throat J. 2016 Dec;95(12):487-491.

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the relationships among concha bullosa (CB), nasal septal deviation (NSD), and sinus disease. We retrospectively reviewed paranasal sinus computed tomography scans obtained from 296 patients-132 men and 164 women, aged 17 to 76 years (median: 39)-who had been evaluated over a 19-month period. CBs were classified as lamellar, bulbous, and extensive. In cases of bilateral CB, the larger side was designated as dominant. In all, 132 patients (44.6%) exhibited pneumatization of at least one concha, 176 (59.5%) had NSD, and 187 (63.2%) had sinus disease. Some 89 of 106 patients with unilateral or one-side-dominant CB (84.0%) had NSD, 89 of 132 patients with CB (67.4%) had sinus disease, and 109 of the 176 patients with NSD (61.9%) had sinus disease. We found a statistically significant relationship between CB and contralateral NSD, but no significant relationship between CB and sinus disease or NSD and sinus disease. While CB is a common anatomic problem that may accompany NSD, a causal relationship between CB or NSD and sinus disease is dubious.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasal Septum / abnormalities
  • Nasal Septum / diagnostic imaging*
  • Paranasal Sinus Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Paranasal Sinuses / diagnostic imaging
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sinusitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Turbinates / abnormalities
  • Turbinates / diagnostic imaging*
  • Young Adult