title: Dislocation of the inferior turbinates: a rare complication of nasal surgery, presenting as obstructive sleep apnoea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report a very rare complication of nasal surgery: dislocation of the inferior turbinates into the nasopharynx, presenting as sleep apnoea and persistent nasal obstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 56-year-old woman presented with a history of obstructive sleep apnoea for one year and nasal obstruction for seven years. She had undergone nasal surgery one year previously. Non-contrast computed tomography of the nose and paranasal sinuses showed a mass near the posterior choana on both sides, confirmed by nasal endoscopy. The displaced turbinates were removed, after resecting their attachment at the posterior choanae, and the patient's symptoms were relieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is a very rare complication of nasal surgery; to the best of our knowledge, we report only the second published case in the English language literature. We suggest that such cases be closely followed up post-operatively.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital Ramnagar, Banur, Punjab, India. drvipan@yahoo.com
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Gupta
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Singh
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Gupta
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Singh
mesh_terms: D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology*