Anatomical variations of the inferior nasal turbinates, Computed Tomography (CT) based study

Introduction The lateral nasal wall bony structures named the turbinates or concha plays an important anatomical and physiological role in the nose, also they are considered an important surgical land marks in the era of endoscopic sinus surgery. Those turbinates are prone to a variety of structural anatomical variations. Most of the studies are focusing on the middle turbinate anatomical variations with few studies that have been done on the inferior turbinate.

Objective Investigate and report the incidence of inferior turbinate anatomical variations using computed tomography imaging.

Methods This is a retrospective study reviewing the computed tomography imaging of 200 patients that came to our otorhinolaryngology clinic. Images were reviewed for inferior turbinate anatomical variations namely: serrated, pneumatized, paradoxical and hypoplastic. Each variation was reported regarding its presence and the site of its existence.

Results our study group consisted of 103 males and 97 females aged between 18 and 60 years with mean age of 34.79±11.56. Anatomical variations of the inferior turbinate were found in 11 patients (5.5%). The observed rate of variations was as the following: serrated 2.5% (5 patients), pneumatized 1.5% (3patients), paradoxical 1% (2 patients) and hypoplastic 0.5% (1 patient).

Conclusion The inferior turbinate anatomical variations seem to be more prevalent than what is known about them to be extremely rare. Identifying and reporting those variations is important from both medical and surgical point of view.