Turbinate Dysfunction
Large, swollen turbinates may lead to blockage of nasal breathing. Allergies, exposure to environmental irritants, or a persistent inflammation within the sinuses can lead to turbinate swelling. Deformity of the nasal septum can also result in enlarged turbinates.
Treatment of the underlying allergy or irritant may reduce turbinate swelling. In cases that do not resolve, or for treatment of deviated septum, turbinate surgery may be required.
There are different forms of turbinate surgery: Somnoplasty - bipolar radiofrequency ablation - a technique used for coblation tonsillectomy, is also used for the treatment of swollen turbinates; reduction by the use of pure heat can be equally effective as can turbinate sectioning. In the case of sectioning, because the turbinates are essential for respiration, only small amounts of turbinate tissue should be removed. Reduction of the inferior or middle turbinates can cause empty nose syndrome. Dr. Houser: "this is especially true in cases of anterior inferior turbinate (IT) resection because of its important role in the internal nasal valve."
Concha bullosa is an abnormal pneumatization of the middle turbinate, which may interfere with normal ventilation of sinus ostia and can result in recurrent sinusitis.
Read more about this topic: Nasal Concha