title: Middle turbinate osteoma; an unusual cause of nasal obstruction.
abstract: Osteomas are common benign tumours of the paranasal sinuses, but are usually asymptomatic and found as a coincidental finding during routine radiological investigations. We present a case report of a patient with an isolated osteoma of the middle turbinate presenting with unilateral nasal obstruction which required removal via a lateral rhinotomy approach. The aetiology, pathology and presenting features of these tumours are reviewed and their subsequent management discussed. In particular, adequate pre-operative radiological assessment to determine involvement of the cribriform plate region by computerized axial tomography (CAT Scanning) is emphasized since this may indicate the need for a cranio-facial surgical approach rather than a lateral rhinotomy to achieve complete removal.
authors.affiliation: Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London.
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Whittet
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Quiney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010016:Osteoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014420:Turbinates