Deviated Septum More than 80% of the population have some degree of deviation, or crookedness, in the nasal cartilage called the septum. For a few, deviation is severe enough to affect breathing and block nasal drainage. Blocked drainage pathways can affect normal clearing of the sinuses which can lead to sinus infection. Symptoms can often be confused with sinusitis. A deviated septum can be straightened with an operation called a septoplasty.
Abnormal Turbinates
Swelling of the turbinates, three small bony projections inside the nose, can also cause nasal blockage. The turbinates serve a useful function by providing increased surface area to warm and humidify air that passes through the nasal passages. But an infection or allergies can cause them to swell and interfere with nasal drainage.
Concha Bullosa
A concha bullosa (CB) is a common anatomical variation that occurs when an air pocket forms in the middle turbinate.
On a CT scan, a concha bullosa looks almost like a small balloon with a thin, bony lining. If you develop this condition, you may be symptom-free, or you may have facial pain and pressure and nasal blockage. A concha bullosa is easily corrected with endoscopic sinus surgery.
Polyps Nasal polyps are smooth, pear-shaped outgrowths of nasal mucosa that are gelatin-like, semi-translucent, and pale or white in color. They can be found in any of the sinuses or nasal cavity.
Nasal polyps are one of the most common group mass lesions of the nasal cavity, and occur more often in middle-aged men. There seems to be som e relationship between polyps and immune response to various types of fungus.
Symptoms of nasal polyps include nasal congestion, loss of smell and/or taste, sneezing, postnasal drip, facial pain and itchy eyes. Learn
more.
