'Conchae bullosis': a rare case with bilateral triple turbinate pneumatisations

Concha bullosa is the pneumatisation of intranasal conchae (usually the middle turbinate, and rarely the inferior or superior turbinate); however, the term is generally used to describe aeration of the middle concha. Superior concha bullosa is a rare finding, and only a few cases of inferior concha bullosa have been reported in the medical literature. When symptomatic, concha bullosa may cause various problems including nasal congestion, headache, postnasal drip, anosmia and, sometimes, epiphora.

Computed tomography, following history-taking and physical examination, is a valuable tool in diagnosing turbinate pneumatisation. This article presents a very rare case with bilateral triple conchae pneumatisations.

The symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment options for cases of multiple concha bullosa are discussed. The surgical interventions performed in the presented case are briefly described.

The presented patient had pneumatisation of all six turbinates. In such cases, we propose that this condition be termed 'conchae bullosis' rather than 'conchae bullosa', in a similar fashion to the use of nasal polyposis as the plural form of nasal polyp.