Morphological consequences of lateral outfracture of the inferior turbinate.
OBJECTIVE
We report three cases of lateral outfracture of the inferior turbinate, which demonstrate a range of changes in the size, position and shape of the inferior turbinate.


METHODS
During a study of the validity of computer modelling of nasal airflow, computed tomography scans of the noses of patients who had undergone lateral outfracture of the inferior turbinate were collected. The pre-operative scan was compared with the post-operative scan six weeks later.


RESULTS
In one patient, there was only a small lateral displacement of the inferior turbinate. In the other two cases, appreciable reduction in the volume of one inferior turbinate was noted, in addition to minor changes in the shape.


CONCLUSIONS
Lateral outfracture of the inferior turbinate produces varied and inconsistent changes in morphology which may affect the shape, size and position of the turbinate.
Department of ENT, Antrim Area Hospital, Northern Ireland. b.hanna@qub.ac.uk
B C
BC
Hanna
N
N
Bailie
G
G
Gallagher
J
J
Cole
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D012119:Respiration; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*