Is there Any Relationship between Allergic Rhinitis and Concha Bullosa

Concha bullosa (CB) is thepneumatization of intranasal turbinates.It is most commonlyseen in themiddle turbinate .The formation mechanism of CB is not fully elucidated so far. It is well known that allergic rhinitis (AR) affects the mucosa of intranasal structures and eventually these structures become edematous. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of CB retrospectively in patients with AR. The method used is to determine the presence of CB,paranasal sinus computed tomography (PNSCT) scans of 45 patients (25 females, 20 males) with ARwere examined. The PNSCT sections showing maxillofacial fractures,sinonasal neoplasms and the results of previous surgeries were not included into the study. CB was observed in 25 of 45 patients with AR (55.5%). 7 of these 25 patients had unilateral (28%), while 18 had bilateral (72%) CB.All the patients had the middle turbinate pneumatization. There was no significant correlation between side of the CB (unilateral or bilateral) and gender andage. CB is a common anatomic variation in patients with AR and this contributesto the severity ofsymptoms. CB makes nasal obstruction much worse in AR patient, and may cause rhinosinusitis besides contact headaches. In the present study, coexistence of CB was detected as 55.5% with AR. In case of non-symptomatic CB, there is no need for additional treatments. However, in symptomatic cases, removal of the lateral lamella of the middle turbinate should be performed.