Concha Bullosa: Incidence and Relationship with Chronic Sinusitis on OMU CT

Kim, Kyung Rae; Lee, Seung Hwan

Abstract

Concha bullosa is one of the most common anatomical variations detected in the paransal sinus and nasal cavity. In this study, the incidence of concha bullosa and the relationship between the size of concha bullosa and the degree of the paranasal sinus lesion is to be inquired. This study was based on 232 patients who visited our outpatient department with rhinological symptoms suspected with chronic sinusitis who went under OMU CT. Based on OMU CT reviews, the grade of concha bullosa was divided into four stages and the paransal sinus lesion was classified into 5 stages. The prevalence rate of concha bullosa was 36.2% with 14.6% bilateral and 21.6% unilateral. The accompanying incidence of concha bullosa in patients with no sinus disease was 20.2% and 26.8% in sinusitis patients, with no significant statistical difference between the two groups. Merely, a higher prevalence rate was seen in patients with paranasal sinus lesions localized in the OMU. However, for a more accurate result as of concha bullosa functioning as an etiological factor of sinusitis, a random population based study will be necessary. Also, it has been noticed that septal deviation, in all anatomical variations, most commonly occurs in patients with concha bullosa.