Peter Hwang, M.D. Palo Alto, CA
Concha bullosa refers to an enlargement or ballooning of the nasal turbinate (which is a normal structure in the nose). Concha bullosa is a normal anatomic variant, but occasionally, a concha bullosa can be very large and contribute to sinus obstruction. In these cases, the concha bullosa can be readily reduced by surgery.
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Berrylin J. Ferguson, M.D. Pittsburgh, PA
Concha refers to the turbinate in this case, the middle turbinate. Bullosa refers to a bubble-like structure. A middle turbinate which has an air cell in it is a concha bullosa. When these are large, they can cause nasal obstruction or facial pressure or blockage of the sinus outflow tracts. They are easily reduced with endoscopic sinus surgery.
