Turbinate Dysfunction Workup

Updated: Jun 24, 2021
  • Author: Sanford M Archer, MD, FACS; Chief Editor: Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA  more...
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Workup

Imaging Studies

Sinus CT scanning is useful for delineating the extent of disease in patients who have underlying chronic rhinosinusitis or acute recurrent rhinosinusitis. Anatomic relationships between the middle turbinate, the septum, and lateral nasal wall may also be useful in the evaluation of nasal headaches. Preferred scans are those in a coronal plane with 2- to 3-mm thickness and bony windows. Contrast is not helpful. See Nasal Cavity Anatomy, Physiology, and Anomalies on CT Scan.

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Other Tests

Rhinomanometric testing is useful as a research tool to evaluate certain parameters of nasal airflow. Rhinomanometry is most useful for comparing nasal airflow from side to side and also in the preoperative evaluation of nasal airflow as compared with the postoperative situation. See the Medscape Reference article Nasal Physiology.

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Histologic Findings

Eosinophilic infiltration of the mucosal membranes leads to suspicion of allergic causes for turbinate inflammation. Infiltration by other inflammatory cells is also observed but is less diagnostic.

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