What Does Bilaterally Hypertrophied Nasal Turbinates Mean?

Posted on Thu, 2 May 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 2 May 2013 Answered on

Mon, 20 May 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : What it mean if my nasal turbinates are prominent bilaterally?
I should probably add that my septum is deviated to the right, but I wasn't told by how much.

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Bilaterally hypertrophied nasal turbinates lead to nasal stuffiness and obstruction.

2. These are normal structures on the lateral (side) walls of the nasal cavity with several important functions. A DNS (Deviated Nasal Septum) is very common, and it leads to turbnate hypertrophy which reduces the nasal airflow.

3. If you can share your CT images (not the report), I will be able to give you an accurate assessment.

4. It is difficult to justify a septoplasty at the age of 53, however, Radio-frequency ablation of the nasal turbinates will relieve any obstruction by the nasal turbinates easily.

5. I usually get a pre and post de-congestion CT done with decongestant nasal drops such as Xylometazoline (Otrvin) to see whether the nasal turbinate reduction will help.

I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar