The Role of Concha Bullosa in Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Single Centre Study

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common and persistent illness that otorhinolaryngologists encounter commonly. It is an important cause of morbidity and accounts for major loss of income. Anatomical variations of the lateral wall of the nose have been reported which can predispose to CRS. The aim of the present study was to determine the percentage of concha bullosa in patients with CRS and to ascertain its relationship with chronic rhinosinusitis. Aim of the study: To determine the percentage of concha bullosa in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and to determine the relationship between concha bullosa and chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods: This was a hospital based prospective one-year study done during the period from June 2019 to December 2020 was conducted at the outpatient department of ENT, Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College and Hospital, Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Sample size in this study were selected 57 patients. Result: Of the 57 patients in our study, 21 were males and 36 were females (Figure-1). Of these 36.84% male patients 21 showed concha bullosa and of the 63.84 female patients 326 showed concha bullosa on CT nose and PNS and DNE. The most common age group showing concha bullosa was 21-30 years 23(40.35%) (Table 1). The most common symptom found in our study was headache in 57(100.00%). The next commonly occurring symptom was nasal block 51(89.47%) followed by nasal discharge or nasal purulence 48(84.21%). DNE and CT scan of nose and paranasal sinuses (coronal and axial) were studied for the evaluation of concha bullosa in our patients of CRS. Concha bullosa was noted in 33(57.89%) patients having unilateral and bilateral presentations. Conclusion: Concha bullosa is one of the most common anatomical variations of the lateral wall of the nose. The presence of concha bullosa plays a significant role in the development of chronic rhinosinusitis particularly in chronic maxillary sinusitis.