Study of Asssociation of Concha Bullosa with Rhinosinusitis

Introduction There are several studies with contradictory findings about the role of concha bullosa with predisposition to rhinosinusitis. This study was conducted to assess the relationship of osteomeatal unit blockage with concha bullosa. Materials and method A cross-sectional observational study by radiological assessment of prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis and blockage of ipsilateral osteomeatal unit was done on 100 cases of concha bullosa detected on computed tomography to determine the prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis in subjects with concha bullosa and to examine the latter’s relationship to osteomeatal unit blockage, which is a precursor for rhinosinusitis. Result One hundred cases of concha bullosa were studied in a total of 87 CT scan films depicting concha bullosa. Some CT scans showed unilateral concha bullosa while few scans showed bilateral concha bullosa. Ipsilateral rhinosinusitis was found in only 31% of the sides in scans of subjects with concha bullosa. Of the total 100 concha bullosae studied, extensive type was the commonest followed by bulbous and lamellar variety. Discussion Although rhinosinusitis was more predominant in the extensive type of concha bullosa compared to other types, it was statistically not significant and there was no statistically significant association between any type of concha bullosa with ipsilateral rhinosinusitis either in right side or left side. Conclusion This study has found no statistically significant association between any type of concha bullosa with rhinosinusitis. A bigger study with larger sample size is required to better assess the strength of association between concha bullosa and rhinosinusitis.