Relationship of Concha Bullosa With Osteomeatal Unit Blockage. Tomographic Study in 200 Patients.

Abstract

-OBJECTIVE:To determine the prevalence of concha bullosa in patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis and to examine its possible relationship to osteomeatal unit blockage, the latter being a precursor for rhinosinusitis. DESIGN: A prospective study of prevalence of concha bullosa and blockage of ipsilateral osteomeatal unit was done on 200 computed tomography scans of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. RESULTS: Of the 200 CT scans with Chronic Rhinosinusitis, the incidence of concha bullosa 34%. Of this, 31 cases (45.6%) were of extensive type, 21 cases (30.9%) were of bulbous type and 16 cases (23.5%) were of lamellar type. There was no statistically significant association between any type of concha bullosa with ipsilateral osteomeatal unit block either in right side or left side. CONCLUSION: There is no statistically significant relationship between presence of concha bullosa and ipsilateral osteomeatal unit blockage that leads to block in drainage of anterior group of paranasal sinuses. There is a significantly higher occurrence of the ostium of bulbous type of concha bullosa opening into the hiatus semilunaris.