Head and Neck Imaging

Concha bullosa

pneumatized middle turbinate (Fig.1). The term may also be applied to pneumatization of the other turbinates. Pneumatization of the middle turbinate usually originates from the frontal recess or agger nasi cell. Although a concha bullosa of the middle turbinate is a normal variant, it may predispose a patient to occlusion of the ostiomeatal unit. It may begin growing late in life. In a 'true' concha bullosa, the pneumatization extends down to the inferior border of the middle turbinate; it can be distinguished from an interlamellar cell, where only the vertical lamella of the middle turbinate is pneumatized (Fig.2). See also sinonasal cavities anatomical variations.

RH

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Fig.1

Coronal CT image. Bilateral pneumatization of the middle turbinate (arrow), down to its inferior border.
Concha bullosa, Fig.1
Concha bullosa, Fig.2