Middle Turbinate Research Articles

Evaluation of Computed Tomography Findings in Revision Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Objective: To investigate computerized tomography (CT) data of patients who needed revision surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis. Material and Methods: 83 patients who underwent revision endoscopic sinus surgery by the senior author due to recurrent and/or persistent chronic rhinosinusitis were included in this study. The following data were obtained from preoperative CT scans and recorded for each side of every patient: recurrent polyposis, incomplete uncinectomy, retained agger nasi cell, lateralization of middle turbinate, recirculation phenomenon, maxillary antrostomy stenosis, incomplete anterior and posterior ethmoidectomy, scarring at the frontal recess, sphenoid ostium stenosis, or novel onset sphenoid disease. Results: Based on our findings, septal deviation caused inadequate posterior ethmoidectomy, while incomplete uncinectomy increased the risk of frontal sinus disease. Conclusions: We suggest that septum deviation may cause insufficient visualization, while incomplete uncinectomy may prevent adequate intervention to the frontal sinus and these subsequently play a role in ESS failure.

A Comparative Study of Interventions of Middle Turbinate Medialization in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

The shape and position of middle turbinate play an important role in ventilation and drainage of the osteomeatal complex. The preservation of middle turbinate is one of the major goals of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Middle turbinate intervention is essential to prevent obliteration of osteomeatal complex. The aim of this prospective study is to postulate which middle turbinate intervention is most effective and compare the results with conventional technique. In this randomized controlled study, 60 patients were included of the age group of 15-60years who presented to the Otorhinolaryngology OPD of our institute between November 2017 to June 2019 with symptoms of chronic sinusitis with clinical and radiological evidence and who underwent FESS. The patients were divided into three group, Group A-Bolgerization (n = 20), Group B-Vicryl-conchopexy (n = 20) and Group C-No intervention, Control group (n = 20). The patency of middle meatus and the status of middle turbinate (medialized or lateralized or neither of the two) was ascertained postoperatively. Improvement in symptoms was also evaluated. The middle turbinate was medialized in 90% of Group A and 95% of Group B cases. The middle turbinate was neither medialized nor lateralized in 70% of patients in Group C. 70% of the patients in Group A and 80% of patients in Group B had complete improvement in symptoms with no recurrence of sinusitis compared to Group C in which only 50% of the patients had improvement in symptoms due to development of synechiae. Medialization of the middle turbinate should be considered as one of the essential steps of FESS as it helps in improving the surgical outcome.

Machine Vision for Real-Time Intraoperative Anatomic Guidance: A Proof-of-Concept Study in Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery.

Current intraoperative orientation methods either rely on preoperative imaging, are resource-intensive to implement, or difficult to interpret. Real-time, reliable anatomic recognition would constitute another strong pillar on which neurosurgeons could rest for intraoperative orientation. To assess the feasibility of machine vision algorithms to identify anatomic structures using only the endoscopic camera without prior explicit anatomo-topographic knowledge in a proof-of-concept study. We developed and validated a deep learning algorithm to detect the nasal septum, the middle turbinate, and the inferior turbinate during endoscopic endonasal approaches based on endoscopy videos from 23 different patients. The model was trained in a weakly supervised manner on 18 and validated on 5 patients. Performance was compared against a baseline consisting of the average positions of the training ground truth labels using a semiquantitative 3-tiered system. We used 367 images extracted from the videos of 18 patients for training, as well as 182 test images extracted from the videos of another 5 patients for testing the fully developed model. The prototype machine vision algorithm was able to identify the 3 endonasal structures qualitatively well. Compared to the baseline model based on location priors, the algorithm demonstrated slightly but statistically significantly (P < .001) improved annotation performance. Automated recognition of anatomic structures in endoscopic videos by means of a machine vision model using only the endoscopic camera without prior explicit anatomo-topographic knowledge is feasible. This proof of concept encourages further development of fully automated software for real-time intraoperative anatomic guidance during surgery.

Gross anatomical and morphometrical study of the nasal cavity (cavum nasi) of Egyptian goat (Capra hircus) and Egyptian Baladi dog (Canis lupus)

This study provides sufficient information on the anatomical investigation and the morphometrical analysis of the nasal cavity of Egyptian goat and Egyptian Baladi dog. The sagittal and the cross (transverse) sections at the different levels were performed on twenty heads of those animals. The nasal cavity was typically cone-shape in goat and a slight narrow elongated cone-shape in dog. It was completely divided by the nasal septum in both species except the caudal part of the nasal cavity of goat was partially divided. The nostril of the goat was nearly horizontal slit-like in form, directed ventromedially toward the philtrum. Whereas, the nostril of the dog was somewhat comma-shaped with its wide part directed medially toward the nasal septum. In the sagittal section, the nasal conchae were included in goat and dog, the dorsal nasal concha, the ventral nasal concha, the middle nasal concha and the ethmoidal conchae. The dorsal nasal concha was the longest concha in both animals. In the cross section, the dorsal nasal concha in goat was formed the dorsal conchal sinus at the level of the third premolar teeth and caudally extended into the frontal sinus. The ventral nasal concha was not formed sinus but its spiral lamellae enclosed the recesses. Moreover, the middle conchal sinus was appeared at the level of the first molar teeth. In this section, all the nasal conchae of dog were formed recesses (conchal sinuses absent).

Effects of the Nasal Cavity Complexity on the Pharyngeal Airway Fluid Mechanics: A Computational Study.

The impact of the human nasal airway complexity on the pharyngeal airway fluid mechanics is investigated at inspiration. It is the aim to find a suitable degree of geometrical reduction that allows for an efficient segmentation of the human airways from cone-beam computed tomography images. The flow physics is simulated by a lattice Boltzmann method on high-performance computers. For two patients, the flow field through the complete upper airway is compared to results obtained from three surface variants with continuously decreasing complexity. The most complex reduced airway model includes the middle and inferior turbinates, while the moderate model only features the inferior turbinates. In the simplest model, a pipe-like artificial structure is attached to the airway. For each model, the averaged pressure is computed at different cross sections. Furthermore, the flow fields are investigated by means of averaged velocity magnitudes, in-plane velocity vectors, and streamlines. By analyzing the averaged pressure loss from the nostrils to each cross section, it is found that only the most complex reduced models are capable of approximating the pressure distribution from the original geometries. In the moderate models, the geometry reductions lead to overpredictions of the pressure loss in the pharynx. Attaching a pipe-like structure leads to a higher deceleration of the incoming flow and underpredicted pressure losses and velocities, especially in the upper part of the pharynx. Dean-like vortices are observed in the moderate and pipe-like models, since their shape comes close to a [Formula: see text]-bend elbow pipe.

Three-dimensional structure of the basal lamella of the middle turbinate

The middle turbinate’s basal lamella (3BL) is a variable landmark which needs to be understood in endoscopic transnasal skull base surgery. It comprises an anterior frontal and a posterior horizontal part and appears in its simplest depiction to be “L”-shaped, when viewed laterally. In this study we analyzed its 3D morphology and variations focusing on a precise and systematic description of the anatomy. CBCTs of 25 adults, 19 cadavers and 6 skulls (total: 100 sides) were investigated with the 3DSlicer software, creating 3D models of the 3BL. We introduced a novel geometrical classification of the 3BL’s shape, based on segments. We analyzed their parameters and relationship to neighboring structures. When viewed laterally, there was no consistent “L”-shaped appearance of the 3BL, as it is frequently quoted. A classification of 9 segment types was used to describe the 3BL. The 3BLs had in average of 2.95 ± 0.70 segments (median: 3), the most frequent was the horizontal plate (23.05% of all segments), next a concave/convex plate (22.71%), then a sigma plate (22.37%). Further types were rare. We identified a horizontal plate in 68% of all lateral views whilst 32% of the 3BLs were vertical. A sigma–concave/convex–horizontal trisegmental 3BL was the most common phenotype (27%). Globally, the sigma–concave/convex pattern was present in 42%. The 3BL adhered the ethmoidal bulla in 87%. The segmenting method is eligible to describe the 3BL’s sophisticated morphology.

Which Nasal Airway Dimensions Correlate with Nasal Airflow and with Nasal Breathing Sensation?

Background: Rhinoplasty modifies the nasal pyramid, thereby also modifying the nasal airway. Objectives: To correlate the sensation of nasal breathing, as measured by patient-reported outcome measures, and nasal airflow, as assessed by peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), with nasal airway dimensions, as measured on computed tomography (CT) images. Methods: Fifty Caucasian patients were studied through visual analogue scale (VAS), nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) and PNIF. Measurements of the nasal airway were made on CT images: minimal distance between septum and inferior and middle turbinates, nasal valve angle, and nasal valve area. Results: There was a significant association between PNIF and nasal valve area, between VAS and the narrower nasal valve angle and between NOSE and minimal distance between septum and middle turbinate of the narrower side. Conclusions: This study suggests that the dimensions of the nasal valve and of the middle nasal airway have a substantial impact on nasal breathing capacity. It also highlights the importance of unilateral nasal airway obstruction to nasal breathing.

MUCORMYCOSIS EFFECTS ON TURBINO SEPTAL COMPONENTS-OUR EXPERIENCE.

Introduction: Mucormycosis is a aggressive and most dangerous type of oppurtunistic Fungal infection. This disease starts commonly from Nose and Para nasal Sinuses. Many a times Middle Turbinate alone and some time both Middle and Inferior Turbinate are affected. This Fungi invades the Arteries more than the Veins and produce Thrombus and further reduces blood supply to concerned region and later on resulting in Necrosis of soft and Hard tissues , which was seen clinically as Black coloured “ Eschar”, the characteristic Endoscopic nding of Mucormycosis. Objectives: To Study about the effects Mucormycosis in the Turbinate, Septum and Floor of Nasal Cavity and to know the Effect of Septal Deviation in development of Sinusitis and further development of Mucormycosis. Study Design: Analytical Study, Retrospective Study. Materials And Method: This study was conducted in Govt Thanjavur Medical College, in Department of E.N.T and Head and Neck Surgery, from May 2021 to July 2021. Total Number of cases taken for study was 81 cases. Cases with Orbital and Pterygo Palatine Fossae and Infra Temporal Fossae involvement and Intra cranial involvement are excluded from the study. All cases are subjected to DNE and classied according to ndings. All cases under went Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and tissues sent for HPE and Fungal culture, followed by Systemic Amphotericin and Regular Post Operative Follow up for 4-6 weeks. Results: Males are involved more in numbers (48) than Females. Commonest age group involved are 21 to 40years. Strong Positive association present between Post Covid-19 status and Diabetes. Middle Turbinate involved in more number (34cases), followed by Inferior Turbinate (21 cases) and Septum (18 cases). Most common Anatomical factor present are High Septal Deviation (60 cases) and Osteo Meatal Complex (OMC) crowding (56 cases). Discussion: Mucormycosis is a Fulminant Fungal infection, which is common in Immunodecient individuals. Patients with Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus, on Prolonged Steroid therapy and Post COVID_19 status are very much prone for this infections. Angio invasion to Arteries and the resultant formation of Thrombi and Gangrene of involved areas is characteristic of Mucor. Black coloured dead tissue is called as ESCHAR. Depending upon the Arterial involvement Anterior half of Middle Turbinate or Posterior half of Middle Turbinate is involved, Posterior half of septum or entire septum is also involved. High septal deviation gives indirect disturbances to Osteo Meatal Complex functions resulting in development of Sinusitis and further chances of developing Mucormycosis. Early Surgical debridement of dead tissues followed by Inj.Amphotericin is very important in restriction of Disease spread. Proper management of predisposing factors and Postoperative Regular Weekly follow up and Endo Cleaning reduces the Recurrences. Conclusion:In our Study Males are affected more in numbers. 21-40 years are affected more. High Septal Deviation and OMC crowding are present in more number of patients which was responsible for the development of Acute Sinusitis. Post Covid status and Uncontrolled Diabetes was the commonest Predisposing factor the development of Mucormycosis. Middle Turbinate was involved more in numbers followed by Inferior Turbinate and Septum. Routine Examination followed by Nasal Septal Correction plays a major preventive role in development of sinusitis and further dreaded complications like Mucormycosis. Adequate Glycemic Control and Inj Amphotericin plays important role in the management of Mycormycosis. Regular Follow up with Endo Cleaning is reduces the chances of Recurrence.

Creation and validation of a radiological checklist for functional endoscopic sinonasal surgery. A YO-IFOS initiative

BackgroundFunctional endoscopic sinus surgery might lead to dangerous complications. Studying and analysing preoperative CT scans provides surgeons with a precise knowledge of their patient's anatomy, thus reducing the risk of potential complications. Checklists highlighting key anatomical areas have been published and proven useful. However, none of these are widely accepted or systematically used in daily practice. ObjectiveIn this paper, the rhinology group of the Young-Otolaryngologists of the International Federations of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (YO-IFOS) aim to create and validate a new checklist designed to be fast and user friendly for daily practice. MethodsTwo CT sinonasal scans were selected as test cases. Forty otolaryngologists were selected from five tertiary referral hospitals. It was a cross-sectional study; each participant was their own control. All participants completed a questionnaire after the analysis of both CT scans to prevent learning bias. The evaluation included ten items critical in endoscopic sinus surgery according to previous publications. ResultsThere were 80 evaluations. There was a significant increase in the number of correctly identified critical structures with the use of the checklist (p=.009). There was a statistically significant difference in low- experience evaluators, while it was not statistically significant for experienced surgeons. The most unanswered structures were suprabullar recess, dangerous v2 nerve, anterior ethmoid artery, dangerous vidian nerve and Onodi cell. The most wrongly identified structures were Keros type, septal deviation and cribiform middle turbinate. ConclusionThe YO-IFOS radiological checklist has proven a useful tool for correctly studying sinonasal anatomical variations. There is a clear learning component in the use of the checklist although it does not in any way exempt specialists from thorough study of sinonasal anatomy. Given the risk-benefit ratio, we strongly suggest the routine use of the checklist to systematically assess CT-scans prior to endoscopic sinonasal surgery.

The application of pedicled middle turbinate mucosal flap in transnasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea

Objective:To investigate the application and efficacy of pedicled middle turbinate mucosal flap in transnasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. Methods:15 patients with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea were retrospectively analyzed，including 13 patients with simple cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea （86.7%） and 2 patients with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea with meningoencephalocele （13.3%）. According to the location of the fistula, the pedicled middle turbinate mucosal flap under nasal endoscopy was used to repair cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, in which 5 cases （33.3%） had leakage at the top of the sieve and 8 cases （53.3%） had leakage at the sieve plate. Two cases had leakage at the lateral racess of sphenoid sinus. Results:All cases of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea were repaired successful and the mucosa epithelialized well in the operative area. There was no recurrence of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea or other complications during the follow-up period of 4-24 months （average 13 months）. Conclusion:The pedicled middle turbinate mucosal flap has a high success rate for repairing cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, and the nasal cavity damage is small, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Anterior part middle turbinoplasty in endoscopic sinus surgery: a randomized controlled study.

Resection of middle turbinate in the setting of endoscopic sinus surgery is a controversial procedure. Our aim is to assess the impact of the anterior part middle turbinoplasty on the outcome of endoscopic sinus surgery, incidence of synechia between the middle turbinate and the lateral nasal wall, intra- and post-operative accessibility to the paranasal sinuses. Single blinded randomized controlled study of 120 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps, they were allocated into two groups, we performed anterior part middle turbinoplasty in the group one "60 patients", and we preserved the middle turbinate in the group two "60 patients". We assessed the patients pre-operatively by Sino-nasal outcome Test (SNOT-22), intra-operatively by Likert scale score for the sinuses accessibility. At least 6 months post-operatively, we assessed the patients by SNOT-22, and Likert scale score for sinus accessibility. During and after surgery, the Likert scale score in the group one showed statistically significant better sinuses accessibility than in the group two. We noticed synechia between the MT and the lateral nasal wall in 9.2% and 18.2% of the operated sides in group one and group two, respectively. SNOT-22 and its smell item improved significantly in both groups with no statistically significant differences between them. No major complications were reported. Anterior part middle turbinoplasty is a safe and effective technique during endoscopic sinus surgery to improve the intra- and post-operative sinus accessibility, and decrease the incidence of post-operative synechia, with no adverse effect on olfaction or bleeding.

Characteristics of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps Based on Allergic Mucin and Fungal Elements in Patients Undergoing Revision Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

This study sought to document the features in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) patients undergoing revision endoscopic sinus surgery (RESS), based on presence or absence of allergic mucin (AM) and fungal elements (F). A retrospective chart review of RESS cases collected Lund Mackay score (LMS), endoscopic, microbiological, histopathological, surgical and follow-up data of these patients. Patients were categorised into AM + F +, AM + F-, AM-F + and AM-F- subgroups based on the presence or absence of AM and F. The total serum IgE was significantly higher (p > 0.001) in the AM + F + subgroup. Other factors analysed including LMS, duration from previous surgery, comorbidities, degree of inflammation and disease recurrence showed no specific predilection among subgroups. Patients with a retained middle turbinate showed lesser (p = 0.04) recurrence on follow-up. Subgroups of recurrent CRSwNP showed similar characteristics and had further disease recurrence which was independent of allergic mucin and fungal elements. The presence of an intact healthy middle turbinate could reduce early disease recurrence following RESS.

Inhalation and deposition of spherical and pollen particles after middle turbinate resection in a human nasal cavity

Middle turbinate resection significantly alters the anatomy and redistributes the inhaled air. The superior half of the main nasal cavity is opened up, increasing accessibility to the region. This is expected to increase inhalation dosimetry to the region during exposure to airborne particles. This study investigated the influence of middle turbinate resection on the deposition of inhaled pollutants that cover spherical and non-spherical particles (e.g. pollen). A computational model of the nasal cavity from CT scans, and its corresponding post-operative model with virtual surgery performed was created. Two constant flow rates of 5 L/min, and 15 L/min were simulated under a laminar flow field. Inhaled particles including pollen (non-spherical), and a spherical particle with reference density of 1000 kg/m3 were introduced in the surrounding atmosphere. The effect of surgery was most prominent in the less patent cavity side, since the change in anatomy was proportionally greater relative to the original airway space. The left cavity produced an increase in particle deposition at a flow rate of 15 L/min. The main particle deposition mechanisms were inertial impaction, and to a lesser degree gravitational sedimentation. The results are expected to provide insight into inhalation efficiency of different aerosol types, and the likelihood of deposition in different nasal cavity surfaces.

Analysis of Bleeding Site to Identify Associated Risk Factors of Intractable Epistaxis.

IntroductionIntractable epistaxis refers to deep occult bleeding and uncontrolled persistent bleeding. Effective treatment can only be implemented if the bleeding site is quickly identified and the underlying disease controlled.ObjectiveThe relationship between the bleeding site and the pathogenic factors of intractable epistaxis was analyzed to further strengthen the prevention and treatment of intractable epistaxis by outpatient doctors, family doctors and otolaryngologists. Through accurate search and minimally invasive hemostasis, it helped optimize the treatment plan for intractable epistaxis.MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 90 patients with intractable epistaxis who were admitted to hospital from January 2016 to December 2017. Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between intractable epistaxis site with underlying disease, gender and age.ResultsThe distribution of intractable epistaxis was associated with hypertension (χ2=13.76, P=0.017). The incidence of hypertension was the highest in the olfactory sulcus of the middle turbinate region at about 60%. In addition, age was also identified as a factor that affects the distribution of intractable epistaxis (χ2=21.95, P=0.02). The incidence of intractable epistaxis on the vault of inferiornasal meatus region was highest (63%) in young patients. On the other hand, the olfactory sulcus of the middle turbinate region accounted for the highest incidence in the middle-aged and elderly group (66.7%). There was no obvious relation between the bleeding site of intractable epistaxis with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.ConclusionThe bleeding site of intractable epistaxis is related to hypertension and age. This may improve the identification of the site of intractable epistaxis for timely implementation of treatment and can further strengthen the prevention and treatment of intractable epistaxis in outpatients or family doctors.

Endotype-related recurrence pattern of chronic rhinosinusitis in revision functional endoscopic sinus surgery

ObjectiveThe recurrence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is influenced by various factors, potentially including the endotype based on the molecular pathophysiology of CRS. This study investigated differences in the recurrence pattern of CRS by endotype after primary FESS. MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled patients who had undergone revision FESS for recurrent CRS. Based on their clinical diagnosis, the patients were divided into two endotype groups: recurrent eosinophilic CRS (rECRS) and recurrent non-eosinophilic CRS (rNECRS). We compared and analyzed preoperative computed tomography (CT) findings, including typical anatomical findings of recurred CRS such as lateralized middle turbinate and retained uncinate process, the sinus where recurrence took place, and previous surgical completeness of the sinuses, between the rECRS and rNECRS groups. ResultsIn total, 142 patients were enrolled (48 rECRS, 94 rNECRS). No significant difference was found in the typical anatomic findings of recurrent CRS between the rECRS and rNECRS groups. The rates of the completeness of previous surgeries was significantly higher in rECRS than in rNECRS(P=.031). Despite the completeness of previous surgeries, the recurrence rate of frontal and ethmoidal sinuses was higher in the rECRS than rNECRS(P=.012, P<.001, respectively). In subgroup analysis according to the severity of ECRS, the number of involved sinuses and the rates of CRS recurrence and surgical completeness in frontal and anterior ethmoidal sinuses increased with ECRS severity. ConclusionsCT findings of revision FESS cases differed by CRS endotype. The rECRS group showed higher recurrence in the frontal and ethmoidal sinuses despite a higher surgical completeness rate. Incomplete surgery was more often found in the rNECRS group.

Incidence of concha bullosa and its role in chronic rhinosinusitis

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Pneumatization of nasal turbinates is called concha bullosa. Most often it involves the middle turbinate and is one of the commonest variants of sinonasal anatomy. Bulbous and extensive type of concha bullosa may lead to narrowing or even complete blockage of osteomeatal complex. This alters the normal airflow and drainage pathways of mucous, resulting in mucosal edema which obstructs the ethmoidal infundibulum and osteomeatal obstruction leading to sinusitis. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of concha bullosa and assess its role in causation of chronic rhinosinusitis. The objective was to determine the incidence of concha bullosa and assess its role in chronic rhinosinusitis.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; A retrospective study of 120 patients suffering from chronic sinusitis of age group 18 years to 70 years old were taken between March 2018 to January 2021 at Malla Reddy institute of medical sciences (MRIMS) who had nasal symptoms significant enough to warrant a CT paranasal sinus (CT PNS) with positive findings. All PNSs involved were identified for sinus disease. Concha bullosa identified and graded into small, moderate and large. Patients with history of previous nasal surgeries were excluded.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Our study showed 54% cases of chronic sinusitis with concha bullosa.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Concha bullosa may be one of the predisposing factors of chronic rhinosinusitis and hence surgical manipulation by functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is important to prevent recurrence of sinusitis.&lt;/p&gt;

Olfactory neuroepithelium in the middle turbinate: is there any impact on olfaction function after lateral marsupialization for concha bullosa surgery?

IntroductionThe effect of the quantity of olfactory neuroepithelium in the middle turbinate on the postoperative olfactory function for middle turbinate concha bullosa patients has not yet been evaluated. ObjectiveThe primary aim of this study was to investigate the olfactory structures in the middle turbinate by immunohistochemical analysis of the olfactory marker protein and to correlate the immunostaining results with the olfaction test results for patients with middle turbinate concha bullosa. MethodsSurgical materials of 18 middle turbinate concha bullosa patients who had undergone lateral marsupialization surgery were immunostained with olfactory marker protein antibodies. Smell diskettes olfaction test was applied to all of the study group patients both preoperatively and three months postoperatively. A visual analog scale was used to quantify the sense of nasal obstruction. ResultsIt was observed that the postoperative smell scores and the nasal obstruction visual analog scale values were significantly improved as compared to the preoperative values (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant correlation between the smell score gain and the visual analog scale gain values (r = 0.682). Results also indicated no significant correlation between the olfactory marker protein staining scores and the smell scores (p > 0.05). ConclusionThis first paper demonstrated that the quantity of the olfactory mucosa in the middle turbinate was not a determining factor for the postoperative smell function degree for middle turbinate concha bullosa patients. The underlying cause of the olfactory deficit for middle turbinate concha bullosa patients seems to be obstruction related rather than the middle turbinate’s olfactory mucosa containing status.

Mucocele of a giant inferior turbinate concha bullosa mimics a nasal mass: case report

BackgroundThe concha bullosa is a pneumatized nasal turbinate commonly middle turbinate but that of the inferior turbinate is an uncommon entity. A giant inferior conchal pneumatization with mucocele formation is not reported in the literature till now.Case presentationA 17-year-old female patient presented with bilateral severe nasal obstruction. Anterior rhinoscopy and endoscopic examination revealed a giant mass which filled the left nasal cavity completely, pushing the septum to the contralateral side. The paranasal sinus CT showed a mass in the left nasal cavity ballooning the whole nasal cavity with compression of the nasal septum to the right side. MRI was done and the lesion was hyperintense in T2 MRI sequences and hypointense in T1 sequences consistent with a cystic lesion. The patient was consented and prepared for endoscopic resection under general anesthesia. The lesion was completely separated from the nasal septum and the orbit but attached to the lateral nasal wall at the site of origin of the inferior turbinate. Conchoplasty was done and patient follow-up for 9 years is excellent with complete disappearance of all patient symptoms.ConclusionsConcha bullosa of the inferior turbinate should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nasal tumors, nasal cystic lesions, and preoperative evaluation of endoscopic sinus surgery. Also, a systematic approach for dealing with nasal lesions with thorough examination and radiological review will be of great value in decision-making. The anatomy of the paranasal should be thoroughly examined prior to endoscopic sinus surgery to develop treatment strategies and to prevent possible complications.

Assessment of level of knowledge understood and memorized of panoramic anatomical landmarks among dental students in Benghazi, Libya

Abstract Background: Evaluation of skill competency and quality requirements of dental students plays an essential role in dental education. Aim: To investigate the level of knowledge of cranio-dentofacial anatomic structures observed on panoramic radiographs by 4th-year dental students and graduates in internship year at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Benghazi. Materials and Methods: A total of 73 4th-year dental students and 92 interns attending the 2018/2019 academic year participated in this study to identify 24 landmarks on a traced panoramic radiograph. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square analyses were performed (P &lt; 5%). Results: The overall correct answer rate for 24 anatomical landmarks was 26.2% (±0.23) among the 4th-year students and 29.68% (±0.24) among interns. Significant differences were observed only between hard tissues and soft tissues/air layer. For both groups, Head of the condyle was the most identified (79.5% for the 4th-year and 71.7% for interns), while the middle nasal concha was the least recognized structure (100% incorrect answer). Conclusions: Both 4th-year students and interns had a similar level of knowledge in identifying anatomical structures shown on panoramic radiography. The teaching program should focus on familiarizing dental students with the unidentified anatomical structures on panoramic radiographs.

Prevalence of the anatomical variations of concha bullosa and its relation with sinusitis among Saudi population: a computed tomography scan study.

Concha bullosa (CB) is a pneumatic cavitation inside a concha in the nasal cavity. It is one of the most widely recognized nasal variations and is mostly found in the middle concha. CB is divided according to its site into three types; lamellar, bulbous and extensive. The goal of our study was to estimate the prevalence of CB among Saudi adult population and its association with sinusitis by using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). This was a retrospective study carried out over a three-year period on 879 adult Saudi patients aged 18 years or older, referred for MDCT assessment of paranasal sinuses. Males were 540 and females were 339. Patients with facial congenital anomalies or nasal trauma were excluded from our study. CB was prevalent in both males and females among Saudi population (55.4%, 55.7%) respectively. Bilateral CB (55.5%) was more frequent than unilateral (44.5%). Extensive CB (44.0%) was the most frequent type. Sinusitis was associated more in patients with CB (48.0%) versus those who have no CB (5.9%). In conclusion, CB was prevalent among Saudi population and the most frequently recorded is the extensive type. Furthermore, the most common type associated with sinusitis was extensive CB (49.6%).