Overview
What is turbinate dysfunction?
What is the role of nasal congestion in turbinate dysfunction?
What is the prevalence of turbinate dysfunction?
What causes turbinate dysfunction?
What is the pathophysiology of turbinate dysfunction?
Which clinical history findings are characteristic of turbinate dysfunction?
Which anatomic abnormality may cause turbinate dysfunction?
When is treatment of turbinate dysfunction indicated?
Which nasal anatomy is relevant to turbinate dysfunction?
What are the contraindications to surgery for turbinate dysfunction?
Workup
What is the role of imaging studies in the workup of turbinate dysfunction?
What is the role of rhinomanometry in the workup of turbinate dysfunction?
Which histologic findings are characteristic of turbinate dysfunction?
Treatment
What are the initial treatments for turbinate dysfunction?
What is the role of surgery in the treatment of turbinate dysfunction?
What is included in the preoperative evaluation for turbinate dysfunction surgery?
How is bleeding minimized during turbinate dysfunction surgery?
What steps are taken immediately following completion of turbinate dysfunction surgery?
What is included in postoperative care following turbinate dysfunction surgery?
What is included in long-term monitoring following turbinate dysfunction surgery?
How are the possible complications of turbinate dysfunction surgery prevented?
What is the prognosis of turbinate dysfunction following treatment?
What are the controversies related to turbinate dysfunction treatment?
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Normal-sized right inferior turbinate with a moderate inferior septal deflection.
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Bony hypertrophy of the right inferior turbinate following topical vasoconstriction.
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Mucosal hypertrophy of the right inferior turbinate with total airway obstruction.
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Mucosal hypertrophy of the left inferior turbinate with impingement of the septum and narrowed nasal airway.
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A stab incision is made at the anterior head of the inferior turbinate. Blunt dissection beneath the mucoperiosteum elevates tissue for subsequent microdebridement. The microdebrider is turned in all directions, but mucosa is entirely preserved. Video courtesy of Vijay R Ramakrishnan, MD.