Inferior turbinate reduction

Scarring of the Eustachian tube: an unusual presentation following septoplasty and inferior turbinate reduction

Septoplasty and inferior turbinate reduction is a common operation performed by ear, nose and throat surgeons for obstructive nasal symptoms. We present a case of complete unilateral scarring of the Eustachian tube orifice, a previously unreported complication, following septoplasty and inferior turbinate reduction for nasal obstruction. It is important to consider this differential diagnosis in patients presenting with unilateral middle ear effusion postoperatively.

Analysis of inferior nasal turbinate width and concha bullosa in subjects with nasal septum deviation: a cone beam tomography study

Background

In individuals with nasal septal deviation (NSD), compensatory hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates occurs as a protective mechanism of the nasal passage from dry and cold air. NSD associated nasal turbinate hypertrophy is usually recurrent, requiring repetitive imaging. Therefore, a multiplanar imaging modality with a low radiation dose is best suited for long-term follow-up of this condition. This study aimed to evaluate the association of width of inferior turbinates and presence of concha bullosa with the degree of NSD using Cone beam computed tomography (CT).

Methods

The CBCT scans of 100 patients with NSD were selected as per convenience sampling and were evaluated by two maxillofacial radiologists. The width of the non-hypertrophied inferior turbinate (NHT) on the convex side of the NSD, and hypertrophic inferior turbinates (HT) on the concave side of the NSD were measured at three locations. The septal deviation angle (SDA) and the presence of concha bullosa (CB) were determined.

Results

A significant difference was observed in the anterior, middle, posterior, and mean widths between HT and NHT (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the widths of the HT and NHT among different types of NSD. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.71, p < 0.001) was found between SDA and the mean width of the HT. Age (P = 0.71) and gender (P = 0.65) had no significant difference among different types of NSD. Regression analysis revealed that the presence of CB (p = 0.01) and middle width of the HT (p < 0.001) are significant predictors of SDA and type of NSD.

Conclusion

The results of the present study reveal that the middle width of the HT and the presence of CB influence the degree of NSD. The present study results recommend the use of CBCT as a substitutive low radiation dose imaging modality for evaluation of NSD, CB, and associated inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

An optimization method for surgical reduction of hypertrophied inferior turbinate

Surgical reductions of the hypertrophied inferior turbinate (HIT) can improve nasal obstruction. However, there is currently a lack of personalized and objective methods to guide surgical operations, which results in the excessive or inadequate resection of HIT. In this study, we proposed an optimizing method based on homotopy deformation to determine the resected amount and shape of the tissue by matching the flow resistance in the two nasal passageways. The simulation results obtained using computational fluid dynamics showed that after such an optimization procedure, the most obstructed nasal side could have a similar air flux as the less obstructed side. A 35% and a 56% less tissue resection in the optimizing operation compared to that in the total turbinectomy could well balance the air flow between the two nasal cavities in the simulations for patients 1 and 2 with unilateral nasal obstruction respectively. Compared with the optimization operation, the total turbinectomy made a more aggressive resection of HIT, which could worsen the air conditioning capacity of the nose. A sensitivity test indicated that in the optimization operation, the most constricted region in the nasal cavity should be adequately enlarged. However, more tissue resection than is required for the optimization operation did not improve the flow in the obstructed side strikingly. Simulations of the optimization operation in both nasal cavities for a patient with bilateral nasal obstruction were also performed. The flow rate could reach the normal level and be well balanced in the two sides after such an optimization procedure.

Investigating the effects of inferior turbinate outfracture on the lacrimal system by evaluating the results of paranasal sinus computed tomography and nasolacrimal irrigation test

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the effects of inferior turbinate outfracture on the nasolacrimal system and tear flow.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients (26 males, 21 females) between the ages 18 and 52 years (mean age-29.0 ± 9.6 years) were included in the study. Preoperative nasal examinations and paranasal sinus computed tomography of the patients were carried out; the direction, location, nasal septum deviation classification and inferior turbinate hypertrophy size classification were evaluated. Lacrimal irrigation test was performed preoperatively and 14 days postoperatively.

RESULTS

The study included 47 patients who underwent septoplasty and inferior turbinate outfracture. The mean duration of lacrimal irrigation test was 2.9 ± 0.8 s on the right side and 3.0 ± 1.1 s on the left side preoperatively, and 2.1 ± 0.8 s on the right side and 2.2 ± 1.0 s on the left side postoperatively. No significant relationship between direction, location classification, angle nasal septum deviation classification and lacrimal irrigation test duration was found. A significant relationship between size classification of the left inferior turbinate and preoperative lacrimal irrigation test duration was noted (p = 0.030). Moreover, a significant decrease between preoperative and postoperative lacrimal irrigation test duration after inferior turbinate outfracture (p = 0.000) was noted.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that outfracture of the inferior turbinate with septoplasty surgery may benefit the regulation of tear flow. In addition, we concluded that lacrimal irrigation test duration may be effective in determining the patients with subclinical nasolacrimal duct partial obstruction due to inferior turbinate pathologies.

New wand coblation turbinator vs coblation radiofrequency

INTRODUCTION

İnferior turbinate hypertrophy is a common reason of nasal obstruction. One of the most preferred surgical metod is radiofrequency tecnique. Coblation submucosal reduction turbinator (SCT);new surgical device; started to use recently. Since the method is new, very few study has been done yet. We compare coblation radiofrequency (CR) with SCT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients with only inferior turbinate hypertrophy but no other diseases included in study. Paranasal CT was made to all patient to rule out turbinate bone hypertrophy. Group 1 32 patient; performed CR. Group 2 25 patients performed SCT. To all patients preoperative and 3 weeks later post operative mucosiliary activity test was performed. Nasal flow was measured with nasal flow meter preoperatively and 3 weeks post operatively. VAS and NOSE was measured. Results compared between two groups. SCT performed under general; CR performed under local anesthesia.

RESULTS

There was significant nasal flow changes in CR group. (p < 0.001) There was no difference in pre-and-post operatively saccharin test results in CR group. (p = 0.385) There was slightly nasal flow gain in SCT group but this was not statistically significant. (p < 0.192) Also there was no statistically significant changes in pre-and-post operatively saccharin test results in SCT group. (p = 0.167) There was no difference between two groups in terms of post operative nasal flow values and mucociliary activity. (respectively p = 0.562, p = 0.355). (Table 2). Both two tecnique has significant increase in VAS and NOSE scores. (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

According to our study two tecnique is suitable and safe for nasal mucociliary activity. Tecniques has positive effect on nasal flow, VAS and NOSE scores.