Infected inferior turbinate pneumatization

Abstract

With the widespread utilization of endoscopic nasal surgery, the interest in nasal structures has increased. Inferior turbinate pneumatization is among the most rare causes of nasal obstruction. In the current literature, there are only ten reported cases of inferior turbinate pneumatization. A 52-year-old male patient presented with nasal obstruction, purulent nasal discharge, facial pain and headache. Anterior rhinoscopic examination showed bilateral middle and inferior turbinate hypertrophy and edema of the nasal mucosa. Computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral frontal, anterior and posterior ethmoidal and maxillary sinusitis with bilateral concha media bullosa and right infected inferior turbinate pneumatization. In this report, infection of this rare anatomical abnormality is presented for the first time and documented with acoustic rhinometry, CT and peroperative photography.