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Enlarged nasal turbinates
Is inferior turbinate reduction surgery safe?
Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. The treatment usually depends on the extent of the enlargement. Generally, most patients can opt for conservative medical treatment, which often includes oral medications and nasal sprays. In many cases, patients respond well to standardized conservative treatments. If conservative treatments fail and the clinical symptoms are severe, surgical intervention may be considered. Currently, the main option is turbinate reduction surgery, which is generally safe. One commonly used method is endoscopic plasma ablation under local anesthesia. Overall, the risks associated with the surgery and anesthesia are minimal, and the recovery is usually quick due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure.
The difference between hypertrophic turbinates and nasal polyps
The difference between hypertrophic nasal turbinates and nasal polyps mainly lies in that nasal polyps are overgrowths and hyperplastic tissues appearing externally to the normal nasal mucosa, whereas the primary cause of hypertrophic nasal turbinates is due to smaller air ventilation in the nasal cavity of the patient, thus triggering compensatory hyperplastic thickening of the normal turbinate tissue. For patients with hypertrophic nasal turbinates and nasal polyps, the main symptoms are usually nasal congestion. The primary treatment method for patients with nasal polyps is by removing the nasal polyps through functional endoscopic sinus surgery to improve the nasal air ventilation. On the other hand, patients with hypertrophic nasal turbinates can use corticosteroid nasal sprays to alleviate symptoms of nasal congestion or undergo plasma ablation surgery to remove part of the turbinate tissue, thereby improving the patient’s nasal air ventilation. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor)
Causes of Turbinate Hypertrophy
Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a relatively common clinical presentation and can be caused by many factors. The more common causes include physiological hypertrophy, chronic rhinitis, acute rhinitis, as well as sinusitis or long-term exposure to irritants. When these symptoms occur, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist to determine the specific cause. If it is simply physiological hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates, regular follow-up is generally sufficient, and no special treatment is needed. However, if the hypertrophy is due to an inflammatory response causing clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion and runny nose, medical treatment should be considered. Most patients see good results after standardized medical treatment.
Is surgery recommended for enlarged turbinates?
Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a relatively common clinical presentation, with many possible causes. The most common causes include chronic rhinitis, acute rhinitis, and sinusitis, and it can also be due to osteogenic proliferation of the nasal conchae. After this condition occurs, it is first necessary to visit an otolaryngology department for a nasopharyngoscopy. Some patients may also need a CT scan to assess the severity of the condition. In terms of treatment, surgery is generally not considered first. Most patients can consider conservative treatment with medications, commonly using nasal spray drugs. The treatment period is generally about 1 to 2 weeks. If standardized medication treatment is ineffective, then surgery may be considered.
Untreated turbinate hypertrophy can lead to what consequences?
If turbinate hypertrophy is not treated, it can lead to many severe consequences. It can cause persistent bilateral nasal congestion in patients, leading to continuous oxygen deficiency, resulting in memory decline, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and facial swelling and pain. In severe cases, it can cause hyperactivity as well as psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. Turbinate hypertrophy is generally caused by long-term chronic rhinitis or allergic rhinitis. It leads to persistent nasal congestion, and a detailed examination with an electronic nasal endoscope at a hospital will reveal congestion, swelling, and noticeable hyperplasia in the bilateral middle and lower turbinates. In treatment, turbinate hypertrophy can initially be managed with nebulized inhalation therapy, along with regular physical exercise to restore the function of the nasal mucosa. If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgery to partially remove the bilateral lower turbinates may be necessary.
What causes turbinate hypertrophy?
Turbinates hypertrophy is most commonly seen in clinical practice, caused by repeated inflammation, leading to congestion, swelling, hyperplasia, and prolapse of the turbinate mucosa. The hypertrophy mainly involves the lower turbinates, causing bilateral nasal obstruction in patients, with the condition progressively worsening. Additionally, there may be mucous secretions from the front of the nose, and when accompanied by a bacterial infection, yellow secretions may be present. Patients may also experience facial swelling, headaches, reduced sense of smell, and memory decline as clinical symptoms. Upon examination with an endoscope, significant congestion and swelling of the bilateral lower turbinates can be observed, often covered with abnormal secretions. In terms of treatment, if the turbinate hypertrophy is chronic, conservative treatment is ineffective, and patients may require partial resection of the bilateral lower turbinates for a cure. However, surgery has its principles; it is crucial not to remove more than one-third of the lower turbinate to avoid the risk of empty nose syndrome.
Can nasal turbinates hypertrophy be treated with surgery?
Hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates is a relatively common otolaryngological disease. In terms of treatment, some patients may consider surgical treatment, but most patients should first consider pharmacotherapy. Common treatments include nasal sprays and oral medications, as well as rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution. Many patients can gradually recover and find relief after standardized pharmacological treatment. However, for cases where the hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates is particularly severe and pharmacological treatment is ineffective, surgical treatment may be necessary. Nonetheless, whether through pharmacotherapy or surgery, it is difficult to achieve a complete cure at present, and recurrence is common. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)
Is nasal turbinate hypertrophy related to allergic rhinitis?
Turbinate hypertrophy is directly related to allergic rhinitis. After an allergic rhinitis attack, the patient may experience bilateral inferior turbinate congestion, edema, and hyperplasia, which leads to continuous bilateral nasal congestion and clear, watery nasal discharge, nasal itching, and in severe cases, eyelid swelling, tearing, and itching. Allergic rhinitis is primarily caused by a decrease in the body's immunity and resistance, following the nasal intake or contact with relevant allergens, which can include dust, pollen, and mites. Firstly, a detailed examination at a hospital is needed, using diagnostic tools such as nasal endoscopy, routine blood tests, allergen antibody tests, and skin prick tests to confirm the diagnosis. For treatment, symptomatic anti-allergy treatment is necessary, including oral antihistamines to shrink the turbinates and alleviate nasal congestion. During remission, regular physical exercise is also needed to enhance the body’s immune capabilities for gradual improvement. If the turbinate enlargement is too severe, local surgical removal might be required.
How does nasal turbinate hypertrophy cause nosebleeds?
Enlarged turbinates causing nosebleeds occur when the turbinates are congested, leading to frequent nose blowing by the patient. This can cause local mucosal rupture, resulting in the discharge of bloody secretions from the nasal cavity, generally seen in episodes of chronic rhinitis. Chronic rhinitis is caused by repeated inflammatory infections, leading to diffuse congestion, edema, and hyperplasia of the turbinate mucosa. Patients may experience persistent nasal congestion, accompanied by mucous nasal discharge and sensations of foreign bodies and swelling in the nasal cavity. Forceful nose blowing can then cause local mucosal rupture and the discharge of fresh bloody secretions. A detailed examination with an electronic nasoscope and a sinus CT scan at a hospital can confirm the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, the first step is to shrink the turbinates to relieve nasal congestion. Nebulized inhalation therapy can be used and is effective. Additionally, topical application of vitamin AD in the nasal cavity can repair the local mucosa and gradually improve the condition. (Use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
Will nasal turbinate hypertrophy heal on its own?
Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. In terms of treatment, if the enlargement is mild with no significant clinical symptoms, observation is often considered sufficient. Regular follow-up examinations are necessary to monitor any changes, and some patients may recover on their own. If the turbinate enlargement is severe and accompanied by related clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and dizziness, further examinations should be considered. These may include nasopharyngoscopy or sinus CT scans. In terms of treatment, oral medications and nasal sprays are generally considered. Regular follow-up is needed during treatment to observe the effectiveness. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)