Reduction of the Lower Concha
What is Reduction of the Lower Concha?
The turbinates are vital for many functions performed by the nose. The function of the turbinates is to slow down the air inhaled through the nose, to heat the air to about 25 0C and make it ready for entry into the lungs, to moisturize it, to clean it from foreign substances and particles and to produce some enzymes.
During the breathing process, the turbinates enlarge and shrink from time to time due to blood circulation in order to fulfill their functions and protect the lungs. In this way, the airways cease to be stable and take on a controllable dynamic structure that adapts to external factors.
In order to keep the nasal hairs (cilia), which filter the air and protect the lungs from dirt, dust, viruses, bacteria and toxins, moist and dry, both nasal cavities do not grow and shrink simultaneously, but in shifts. This shift of 30 minutes to 6 hours is called the nasal cycle. As the total amount of air inhaled does not change, people do not notice this difference. During the nasal cycle, one nasal cavity, the air duct, starts to rest the nasal hairs by passing very little air with the swelling of the turbinate, while the other provides normal air flow. In addition to resting the nasal hairs and keeping them moist, the other task of the nasal cycle is to ensure good smell. Smelling is related to the chemicals in the inhaled air. Some chemicals need to stay in the olfactory receptors for a longer time before their odor can be recognized. Chemicals in the air that move slowly in the closed nasal cavity, which passes less air during the nasal cycle, are better perceived.
Recent studies suggest that the nasal cycle may be involved even in psychological disorders such as Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia.
1 Session
2 Days
Lifetime
10 Minutes
2 Days
General Anesthesia
3 Days
What Causes Concha Hypertrophy?
Structural disorders such as abnormal swelling and growth occur from time to time in the bone and / or soft tissue contained in the turbinates, which fulfill nasal functions and have a sensitive structure. These growths are called turbinate hypertrophy (turbinate hypertrophy). The growth in question is mostly seen in the lower turbinate and rarely in the middle turbinate.
Lower turbinate hypertrophy is caused by curvatures in the septum (septum deviation) as a result of allergic causes or nasal trauma. It is not seen in children except in very rare cases. Sometimes pregnancy, hormonal diseases and medications are also a factor for lower turbinate growth.
Inflammations in the concha tissues of people with allergy disorders cause edema in these tissues, vasodilation and blood supply, causing the concha to enlarge.
In people with deviation; Since the space on the opposite side of the nasal cavity, which is inclined by the curvature of the septum, that is, the curvature of the nasal bone, will expand, the concha tends to narrow this width and grows in order to control the air duct and maintain normal air flow. This growth is called compensatory hypertrophy.
Hormonal changes that occur in women during pregnancy and diseases such as sinusitis, thyroid gland diseases, diabetes or excessive hormone production can also cause blood loss and edema in the turbinates, resulting in turbinate enlargement.
The air sacs that make up the sinuses, a different structure in the nose, are sometimes located where they should not be, inside the bone structure that forms the inner part of the middle turbinate. The formation of air bubbles in this bone is called concha bullosa and causes the middle turbinate to grow and block the airway.
How is Concha Hypertrophy Diagnosed?
Hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate occurs as soft tissue growth, bone growth or growth of both structures together. Correct diagnosis of which region the growth is in will ensure that the treatment method is chosen correctly.
For diagnosis, the intranasal examination of the patient who shows the symptoms of Concha Hypertrophy is performed painlessly with the help of physical, radiographic imaging or cameras. When needed, the doctor may request tests and detailed imaging.