Is surgery necessary for enlarged nasal turbinates?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 25, 2025
00:00
00:00

Patients with enlarged turbinates do not necessarily need surgical treatment. The causes of turbinate hypertrophy are mainly related to long-term smoking and drinking, catching colds, as well as allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinitis. Patients experience turbinate growth, which affects nasal ventilation. Some patients may suffer from alternating nasal congestion, and in cases of significant enlargement, such as snoring and air holding during sleep at night, or complete nasal ventilation obstruction, surgical methods such as turbinate ablation or inferior turbinate fracture and outward movement surgery may be necessary to expand the nasal airflow. For general turbinate hypertrophy, patients can use hormone-based nasal sprays to relieve nasal mucosa swelling and thickening. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
52sec home-news-image

Symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy

Turbinate hypertrophy is a relatively common disease, with significant individual differences in symptoms. Some patients simply have hypertrophy without obvious clinical manifestations, and it is only discovered during physical examinations or nasopharyngoscopy; Some patients may develop corresponding clinical symptoms, the most common being nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, snoring during sleep, and a foreign body sensation in the nasal cavity. In such cases, it is necessary to perform a sinus CT and nasopharyngoscopy to assess the severity of the condition. Generally, treatment options include oral medications and nasal sprays. Additionally, rinsing the nasal cavity with saline and regular follow-up observations to assess effectiveness are recommended.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 16sec home-news-image

Is bloodletting useful for turbinate hypertrophy?

Nasal turbinate hypertrophy bleeding is ineffective; it is necessary to go to the hospital for an examination. An electronic nasal endoscopy can identify the cause of the nasal turbinate hypertrophy and symptomatic treatment can gradually improve the condition. Generally, nasal turbinate hypertrophy is caused by repeated chronic inflammatory infections and local allergic reactions. Patients may experience persistent nasal congestion in both nostrils, accompanied by foreign body sensations in the nasal cavity, swelling, facial distension, pain, headaches, and other related symptoms. First, it is necessary to have a detailed examination at the hospital including electronic nasal endoscopy, routine blood tests, skin prick tests, and allergen antibody tests for diagnosis. In terms of treatment, if it is an inflammatory infection, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatments are needed using antibiotics; if it is a local allergy, oral antihistamines should be taken. In addition, the nasal cavity can be treated with budesonide inhalation mist to shrink the nasal turbinates and alleviate congestion symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
55sec home-news-image

Can hypertrophic turbinates be seen with the naked eye?

Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common clinical manifestation and can usually be seen through visual inspection. Generally, the enlargement is primarily of the inferior turbinates. With the use of an anterior rhinoscope to open the nostrils, one can directly observe the extent of inferior turbinate enlargement. This also helps to clarify its relationship with the nasal cavity and aids in the diagnosis of potential rhinitis or sinusitis. In terms of treatment, if the enlargement is simply physiological without significant clinical symptoms, treatment might not be necessary, but regular follow-ups to monitor the condition are advised. If the enlargement is due to an inflammatory reaction, consideration may be given to oral medications and nasal sprays, along with rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
1min 16sec home-news-image

How to deal with nasal polyps and enlarged turbinates?

Nasal polyps and hypertrophic turbinates require surgical treatment because both are manifestations of chronic inflammation in rhinitis. Medical treatment alone is not very effective in these cases. Nasal polyps and hypertrophic turbinates mainly cause poor nasal ventilation, and over time, can also affect the drainage of the sinuses. Therefore, in patients with significantly enlarged nasal polyps, who often also suffer from chronic sinusitis, treatment involves the endoscopic removal of nasal polyps and partial resection of the inferior turbinate, along with the opening of the sinus passages. This is a systematic and comprehensive treatment approach. After surgery, it is crucial to follow a prescribed medication regimen, as this ensures the effectiveness of the surgery. If surgery is performed without subsequent medication, the results may not be very good. Additionally, regular postoperative check-ups and cleanings are essential to maintain the effectiveness of the surgery and to prevent long-term recurrence. Many patients who cease medication and do not return for follow-up cleanings after surgery are likely to experience a quick recurrence.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
47sec home-news-image

How to cure hypertrophic turbinates permanently?

Enlarged turbinates are a relatively common clinical symptom with many causes. It may be due to chronic rhinitis, hypertrophic rhinitis, or allergic rhinitis, and it can also be caused by bone hyperplasia of the turbinates. There are various treatment methods available, but it is still difficult to achieve a complete and permanent cure. Generally, medical treatment is the main approach, commonly involving nasal sprays, oral medications, and saline nasal irrigation. If standard medical treatments are ineffective, surgical options like turbinate ablation or partial resection of the turbinate bone can be considered. However, regular follow-ups to monitor the outcome are necessary. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)