The nasal conchae are located in the area of the side walls inside the nose. They are distinguished into three types, the upper, lower and middle nasal concha. The nasal conchae consist of a significant number of vessels and veins and are externally covered by mucous membrane, which lines the inside of the nasal cavity. Swelling of the nasal conchae is often observed, which leads to their hypertrophy and obstruction of the nasal airway. If the condition is not corrected by conservative means of treatment, then surgical intervention is recommended. Nasal conchae cauterization or shrinking in this case is the recommended treatment method, which is now carried out with new minimally invasive techniques.
Nasal conchae: What is their role & when do they increase in size?
The role of the nasal conchae is, with the utilisation the lining of the mucous membrane, to warm, humidify and filter the inhaled air. The size of the nasal conchae and especially the lower nasal concha, due to the rich blood supply provided by the vessels, is constantly changing. In some cases, the lower nasal concha may increase significantly in size and swell due to inflammation. This happens especially in the case of cold, viral or allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis and scoliosis of the nasal septum. At the same time, the existence of hormonal disorders, especially during pregnancy, or factors such as smoking and the excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays cause hypertrophy of the nasal conchae.
When the pathological factor in the case of infection or allergy is treated with conservative means, then the nasal conchae usually return to their normal size. However, in some cases, the lower nasal concha shows permanent hypertrophy despite the treatment of the pathological factor, leading to obstruction of the nasal cavity and chronic difficulty in nasal breathing.
Nasal conchae hypertrophy symptoms
Symptoms of nasal conchae hypertrophy include obstruction of nasal breathing due to nasal airway obstruction. The patient may, due to the congestion, feel pressure on the face or suffer from recurrent sinusitis and otitis. Other symptoms of the condition include mouth breathing, which leads to dryness of the mouth and throat, frequent headaches, smelly breath, fatigue, snoring and episodes of apnea during sleep. Consequently, nasal conchae cauterization or shrinking with modern minimally invasive techniques is the recommended method of treatment in case of failure of conservative treatment.
Nasal conchae hypertrophy diagnosis
The diagnosis of the condition is carried out by nasal endoscopy with flexible endoscopes, which allows the doctor to also distinguish other factors that also cause nasal obstruction, such as scoliosis of the nasal septum, the existence of nasal polyps and tumors or hypertrophic adenoids. The appropriate surgical method is chosen depending on the specificity of each individual case. Newer minimally invasive techniques used to cauterize or shrink the conchae offer excellent results.
Cauterization or shrinking of the nasal conchae: What are the most modern techniques?
The most common new techniques that cauterize or shrink hypertrophied nasal conchae are conchoplasty with the use of radio frequencies, laser or diathermy. This is a minimally invasive method that causes shrinkage in case of mild hypertrophy of the nasal conchae. With this technique, the cauterization of the submucosal tissue is carried out in a quick and painless way without affecting the mucous membrane of the nasal conchae. However, the effect is usually transient and needs to be repeated.
The nasal conchae hypertrophy is now treated painlessly and with permanent results by ENT Surgeon in Athens Dr. Olga Papadopoulou via endoscopic conchoplasty. This particular method is often preferred over cauterization as it offers permanent results. During the operation, a tiny incision is made in the area of the lower nasal concha using an endoscope and special microsurgical tools. Then, the submucosal tissue is removed using a special tool called a microtome or shaver.
Surgical results for hypertrophy of the nasal conchae
The mucous membrane of the nasal conchae is not compromised, while at the same time the recurrence of swelling of the conchae is prevented. The results of this operation are improved compared to the cauterization technique and present fewer complications. The procedure can be combined with septoplasty, if scoliosis coexists, with the endoscopic surgery of the nose – paranasal cavities in the case of nasal polyps or adenoid removal in case of hypertrophy.