The incidence of pneumatised inferior turbinate and relation to close anatomic structures

Abstract

Background: Pneumatisation of the inferior turbinate (PIT) is a rare abnormality of the paranasal sinus. It is very difficult to differentiate from the hypertrophia of the inferior turbinate clinically. Thus, it is important to be considered, especially in cases with no response to medical treatments. We aimed to investigate the presence and the frequency of PIT by computed tomography (CT). Materials and methods: A total of 2905 cases (1381 female, 1524 male) with an age range between 16 and 84 were included. Results: The pneumatisation of the inferior turbinate was observed in 1.72% of the cases with a percentage of 1.88% in women and 1.57% in men. In PIT (+) cases the bilaterality was found in 54% of them. According to the subtypes, 70% was lamellar, 28% was bullous and 2% was extensive. No statistically significant difference was found for age distribution. The most commonly associated variations were the pneumatisation of the middle and upper turbinate and the septal deviation. Conclusions: The pneumatisation of the inferior turbinate is a rare variation with a similar frequency among men and women. It is diagnosed by CT and when symptomatic the optimal treatment is surgery.