Nasal Concha Enlargement (Concha Hypertrophy)

Nasal Concha Enlargement (Concha Hypertrophy)

What is Nasal Concha Enlargement?

In the nasal cavities where each of the nostrils are opened, there are nasal meats called conchae. These are located in the lower, upper and middle parts and are structures that have very important functions in the physiological structure of the nose.

These tasks include humidifying, warming and purifying the inhaled air from foreign particles. Due to various reasons, the enlargement of the nasal concha, called concha, causes a health problem called nasal concha enlargement or concha hypertrophy.

The condition of enlargement (hypertrophy) in the nasal concha and in the lower turbinate, which is usually the largest concha, in a way that prevents breathing, is called nasal concha enlargement.

This situation causes a feeling of nasal congestion while doing sports exercises, activities such as fast walking and climbing stairs or while lying down, and accordingly shortness of breath.

What are the Causes ?

Nose enlargement can be acute (one-time) or chronic. It may come on suddenly, or the symptoms may increase over time and become a chronic problem.

The reasons are:

• Upper Respiratory Tract Infection,
• Colds,
• Acute Sinus Infection,
• Chronic Rhinitis,
• Seasonal Allergies
• Chronic Sinusitis
• Hormonal Changes

Also, a deviated septum, external nasal deformity, or problems in the sinuses can cause turbinate enlargement. It is not genetic, but is more common in people with a family history of allergic rhinitis.

What are the Symptoms of Concha Hypertrophy?

Concha hypertrophy usually causes similar symptoms in all patients.

The most common among them can be listed as follows:

• Nasal congestion
• Shortness of breath
• Snoring and drooling while sleeping
• Throat dryness, sore throat and phlegm when you wake up in the morning
• Waking up tired in the morning
• Frequent pharyngitis
• Pause during sleep

When patients exhibit such symptoms, the presence of nasal concha hypertrophy can be assessed using lighted endoscopes. These advanced tools make it simple to examine the inner structure of the nose. If an enlargement is detected, the condition is promptly diagnosed, allowing the treatment process to begin without delay.

Who Can See Concha Hypertrophy?

Nasal Concha Enlargement (Concha Hypertrophy)  is more common in allergic people. However, it can be seen without allergies. Sometimes, if there is cartilage and bone curvature in the nose, which we call deviation, for example, if the curvature is on the left, the nasal flesh on the right may swell. It is a normal situation.

How to Diagnose Concha Diseases?

A physical examination is usually adequate for diagnosing inferior turbinate hypertrophy. However, in some cases, the hypertrophy may be more pronounced at the posterior end of the turbinate rather than the anterior end.

To ensure a comprehensive assessment, the entire turbinate structure should be carefully examined using endoscopy.

While abnormalities in the middle turbinate are often noticeable during a physical exam, tomography is generally necessary to serve as a reliable and definitive diagnostic method.

Additionally, tomography offers valuable insights into the condition of the sinuses and helps physicians strategically plan the appropriate treatment steps.

What are the Risks and Harms of Nasal Concha Growth (Concha Hypertrophy)?

The main complaint in patients with turbinate enlargement is nasal congestion. It is the most common symptom especially in inferior turbinate enlargement. Middle turbinate enlargement does not usually cause nasal congestion.

They can contribute to recurring sinusitis symptoms by narrowing the openings that allow the sinuses to drain. These issues are most commonly identified through sinus tomography, as they tend to exacerbate sinusitis episodes.

How is Concha Hypertrophy Treated?

In the treatment of discomfort, different methods may be preferred according to the area and condition of the growth. One of them is medication.

In Drug Treatment:

• Decongestant medications can help relieve nasal congestion. However, their continued use can be risky for those with high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease.
• The nasal congestion can be relieved, albeit temporarily, by washing the nose with hypertonic saline serums.
• Antihistamine use is also very beneficial for those with turbinate hypertrophy due to allergies.
• Cortisone nasal sprays can also be used to open the nose in allergy sufferers.

What is Concha Hypertrophy? How is it Done?

Nasal canine surgery is typically performed under either local or general anesthesia. One common procedure involves the removal of the concha, which entails completely cutting and excising this structure. However, this method is only employed when absolutely necessary, as the concha plays a crucial role in humidifying and filtering inhaled air, and its absence can compromise these functions.

If the nasal bone remains unaffected, a less invasive approach—known as nasal flesh reduction—is preferred. The most advanced technique developed for this purpose is laser nasal concha surgery. This modern method delivers precise results in just a single session. In concha reduction surgery, the primary goal is to maintain as much of the turbinate‘s surface structure as possible.

The techniques commonly used in concha surgeries can be listed as follows:

• Shrinking the nasal flesh with the effect of heat (cauterization or laser),
• Reducing the concha with radiofrequency waves (2 sessions are required),
• The use of microdebrider to reduce the inner soft tissues of the concha,
• Reducing the nasal bone or pushing it to the side by breaking it,
• Removing all or part of the nose meat by cutting,

Nasal canine surgery usually takes 15 or 20 minutes. However, if additional procedures such as nose correction or aesthetics are to be applied, it may take up to 2 hours.

What Happens After Nasal Edema Surgery?

After surgery, patients are generally given a rest period of 8 to 10 hours before being gently assisted to stand. Full recovery from the procedure typically takes around 72 hours. Once the patient feels stable and comfortable, they are discharged to continue the recovery process at home.

In most situations, no significant movement restrictions are necessary after surgery. However, some individuals may experience headaches when bending their heads downward. To alleviate this, maintaining proper hydration is highly advised.

As part of the immediate post-operative care, sutures and nasal tampons are usually placed inside the nose to aid in healing. Follow-up appointments for dressing changes play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth recovery. Nasal tampons are typically removed about three days post-surgery during these visits.

Physicians thoroughly brief patients on managing their sutures, expected recovery timelines, and any additional post-care instructions to support a comfortable and effective healing process.