Will a crushed concha bullosa form again?

Abstract

This study endoscopically and radiologically evaluated whether a surgically crushed concha bullosa (CB) can form again. Prospective study. This study included 14 adults who underwent CB surgery between March 2010 and February 2011. The middle turbinate was examined endoscopically and classified pre- and postoperatively into four groups according to size. The CB volume of all patients was measured using pre- and postoperative paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT). The pre- and postoperative measurements were compared using the paired t test. This study included 22 CB in 11 men and 3 women with a mean age of 35.85 (range, 20-47) years. The mean follow-up period was 4.42 (range, 2-10) months. The middle turbinates were significantly smaller postoperatively (P < .0005), as was the CB volume measured using paranasal sinus CT (P < .0005). The CB crushing technique is an easy, conservative treatment modality. As the CB does not appear to reform after crushing, this technique can be considered a definitive treatment. Nevertheless, these patients should be followed for the long term.