Year : 2023

Volume : Volume 14

Issue : Issue 6

Address for correspondence :
Kosha N Thakker
koshapruparelia@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Nasal turbinates (conchae) are bony plates of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. Few variants of the turbinates (e.g., supreme turbinate, septated concha bullosa (CB), superior turbinate (ST) pneumatization, etc.) are only accessible in the tomography study and thus necessitate a consideration. Materials and Methods: The aim of the study is to identify the variants of nasal turbinates and to determine their overall and individual prevalence. It is an observational, retrospective study where CT data of 130 subjects are analyzed according to the definitions and classifications existent in the literature to determine their frequency. Results: Nasal turbinate variants are appreciated in 96% of the subjects. Pneumatization of middle turbinate (MT) is the most prevalent 55.38% (n = 72) variant among all. However, if only “True or Extensive” type is considered then it is 18.07% (n = 47). Septations in the pneumatized MT, a rare variant, are found in 14.61% (n = 19) of subjects. We also have identified novel variants, “Triple Divided CB” and “Quadra Bullosa,” that are reported only once in the literature before. Pneumatization of ST is found in 14.61% (n = 19) subjects. Inferior turbinate (IT) hypertrophy is noted in 40.77% (n = 53) subjects which makes it second most prevalent variant of turbinates. Paradoxic middle and ITs are observed in 8.46% (n = 11) and 7.69% (n = 10), respectively, along with a rare case of unilateral “Bifid MT”. Conclusion: Thorough knowledge of variants of nasal turbinates is a prerequisite for the interpretation of CT or CBCT data.