Middle Turbinate Evacuation Conchoplasty in Management of Contact-Point Rhinogenic Headache in Children

Abstract

Background: Our objective is to evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of endoscopic evacuation of middle turbinate "concha bullosa" compared with lateral partial turbinectomy, in children with chronic contact-point headaches. For the research, this study is using prospective clinical trial and setting in Otolaryngology department, Tanta University Hospital, Egypt. Methods: Over three years, 60 children underwent surgery for management of contact-point rhinogenic chronic headache resulting from middle turbinate concha bullosa, using either an evacuation technique (30 children) or lateral partial turbinectomy (lamellectomy technique, 30 children) with at least 12 months' follow up. Post-operative adhesions, olfactory disorders, pain intensity, and frequency and duration of headache attacks were monitored. Results: None of the children of the evacuation group developed post-operative synechia or olfactory disorders. In the lamellectomy group, two children reported reduced olfactory capacity and an additional four children had developed adhesions. Pain intensity and frequency and duration of headache attacks improved significantly in both groups (pre- vs post-operative results), but significantly more so in the evacuation group. Conclusion: The evacuation technique may be superior to the lamellectomy technique in preventing post-operative synechia and olfactory disorders, as well as better relieving of pain intensity and frequency and duration of headache attacks. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/ijcp53w