Bifid inferior turbinate: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
A bifid inferior turbinate is an extremely rare anatomical variation and has been reported in only two cases to date. Including the present report, the uncinate processes were missing in all three patients reported. It is suggested that, in the reported patient, bifid inferior turbinate coexisted with a developmental anomaly of the uncinate process, and that the bifid inferior turbinate represented two separate turbinates originating from the same site.


METHODS
We present the first reported case of bilateral bifid inferior turbinates, with a secondary middle turbinate, in a patient complaining of nasal obstruction.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that the superior part of the bifid inferior turbinate may have been formed by severe medial displacement and inferior rotation of the uncinate process, and that the bifid inferior turbinate is an anatomical abnormality of the uncinate process.
Selcuk
A
A
Fourth ENT Clinic, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Ozcan
K M
KM
Ozcan
I
I
Dere
H
H
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014420:Turbinates / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery