Mucocele of middle turbinate an interesting case report and literature review

Concha involving middle turbinate is a common occurence . Review of literature puts the incidence anywhere between 14 – 40%. This is an interesting case report of mucocele involving middle turbinate concha. Pneumatization of middle turbinate is known as concha bullosa . Concha bullosa actually is a radiological diagnosis . Mucoceles can technically arise from a concha bullosa if its outflow channel is obstructed. This is ofcourse rather rare. This case report discusses a case of mucocele involving a pneumatized middle turbinate. Introduction: Mucocele is defined as a cyst without epithelial lining. This is actually a pathological definition. Ironically mucoceles involving paranasal sinuses do have a mucosal lining and hence are considered to be true mucous retention cysts caused due to obstruction to the normal drainage of glandular secretions . Concha bullosa is caused by anterior ethmoidal air cell migration into the middle turbinate. When present this large air cell drains into the frontal recess area commonly. Bolger in his classic treatise divided concha bullosa into three groups : 1. Lamellar type 2. Bulbous type 3. Extensive concha bullosa Lamellar type of concha bullosa: This is actually pneumatization of vertical lamella of the middle turbinate Bulbous type of concha bullosa: This is pneumatization of the bulbous portion of the middle turbinate Extensive concha bullosa: This involves pneumatization of both vertical and bulbous portions of middle turbinate. This is rather extensive form of concha and is commonly associated with septal deviation to the opposite side. Case report: 32 years old female patient presented with complaints of: Left nasal cavity obstruction – 3 months duration Left sided head ache – 3 months She gave no history of bleeding from the nasal cavity. 1