Is surgery recommended for enlarged turbinates?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on June 14, 2025
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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.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 15sec home-news-image

Can nasal turbinates enlargement cause a fever?

Enlarged nasal turbinates do not cause fever. Enlarged nasal turbinates only lead to persistent nasal congestion in patients, accompanied by sensations of foreign bodies and swelling in the nasal cavity. Mucous nasal discharge can appear in the nasal cavity due to enlarged turbinates. Generally, this is caused by chronic inflammatory stimulation and chronic allergic reactions, commonly seen in clinical cases of chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis. A detailed examination at a hospital using an endoscopic nasal camera can reveal bilateral inferior turbinate diffuse congestion, edema, and hyperplasia, which cause persistent nasal congestion. In terms of treatment, if it is allergic rhinitis, symptomatic antiallergic treatment is needed, such as oral administration of loratadine, and the concurrent use of mometasone furoate nasal spray has good effects in reducing the size of the nasal turbinates. If it is chronic simple rhinitis, nasal nebulization can be used, and physical exercise is also necessary to restore the function of the nasal turbinate mucosa for gradual improvement.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 2sec home-news-image

What can be done to alleviate the difficulty in breathing caused by enlarged turbinates?

Breathing difficulties caused by hypertrophic turbinates can initially be managed with corticosteroids via nebulization. Additionally, massaging the Yingxiang acupoints on the outer sides of both nostrils can constrict the turbinates and quickly alleviate nasal congestion to ease breathing difficulties. Patients also need to undergo detailed examination at the hospital using an endoscopic camera and sinus CT to determine the cause of the turbinate hypertrophy. Turbinate hypertrophy generally results from symptoms caused by chronic rhinitis or chronic allergic rhinitis, leading to persistent bilateral nasal congestion in patients. This is also accompanied by a foreign body sensation in the nose, swelling, and the discharge of mucous nasal fluid. For treatment, symptomatic anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy therapy should initially be administered. If conservative treatments are ineffective, a partial turbinectomy on both sides may be necessary.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to cure hypertrophic turbinates permanently?

Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common clinical symptom with many causes. It may be due to chronic rhinitis, hypertrophic rhinitis, or allergic rhinitis, and it can also be caused by bone hyperplasia of the turbinates. There are various treatment methods available, but it is still difficult to achieve a complete and permanent cure. Generally, medical treatment is the main approach, commonly involving nasal sprays, oral medications, and saline nasal irrigation. If standard medical treatments are ineffective, surgical options like turbinate ablation or partial resection of the turbinate bone can be considered. However, regular follow-ups to monitor the outcome are necessary. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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What medicine should be taken for hypertrophic turbinates?

Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a common and frequent disease in otolaryngology, mainly involving enlargement of the middle and inferior turbinates. Patients often develop bony, bubble-like formations in the middle turbinate, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, contact headache, nasal itchiness, and runny nose. For patients with nasal turbinate hypertrophy, who often also suffer from sinusitis or chronic rhinitis, treatment primarily involves local anti-inflammatory measures. Additionally, the use of corticosteroid nasal sprays can help reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa and aid in relieving nasal congestion. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)