Is minimally invasive treatment effective for enlarged turbinates?

Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

Updated on January 12, 2025

00:00

00:00

Turbinate hypertrophy primarily considers conservative medication in treatment aspects. However, a portion of patients does not respond well to medication and may need to consider minimally invasive surgery. One common procedure is endoscopic surgery, which can perform turbinate reduction ablation. Many patients gradually improve after surgery, and their clinical symptoms also diminish. However, individual differences in treatment outcomes still exist. Post-surgery, it is essential to regularly follow up and observe changes in the patient's condition. Additionally, some patients might need combined therapy involving oral and nasal spray medications and can benefit from nasal irrigation with saline solution as an adjunctive treatment. (Please follow the doctor's prescription when taking medications.)

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Zhang Jun

Otolaryngology

1min 15sec

home-news-image

Can you eat chili peppers with enlarged turbinates?

People with enlarged nasal turbinates should avoid eating spicy peppers, as they are considered irritants. Consumption of spicy peppers can worsen the enlargement of nasal turbinates, leading to persistent nasal congestion. For enlarged nasal turbinates, it is necessary to visit a hospital and undergo examination with an electronic nasoscope to determine the cause. Generally, this condition is caused by chronic rhinitis or chronic allergic rhinitis. Enlargement of the nasal turbinates typically leads to symptoms such as persistent and progressive bilateral nasal congestion, swelling sensation in the nasal cavity, foreign body sensation, facial swelling, pain, headache, and the discharge of abnormal mucous secretions from the nasal cavity. In terms of treatment, initial management of enlarged nasal turbinates can involve the use of nebulized inhalation to shrink the turbinates and relieve nasal congestion. Regular physical exercise can also help restore the function of the nasal mucosa. If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical removal of parts of the lower turbinates on both sides may be required to completely cure the condition.

home-news-image

Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

1min 5sec

home-news-image

Is massage effective for enlarged turbinates?

Turbinate hypertrophy is a common clinical symptom of the turbinates. Generally speaking, the effect of treating turbinate hypertrophy through massage is not good, because it is difficult for massage to directly affect the inside of the nasal cavity, and there is no direct impact and effect on the hypertrophy of the turbinates. The first step in addressing turbinate hypertrophy is to examine the causes and the extent of the enlargement. If the enlargement is mild and there are no obvious clinical symptoms, it is generally advised to regularly review and observe changes. However, if the turbinate hypertrophy is more pronounced and accompanied by related clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and reduced sense of smell, it is necessary to perform a nasopharyngoscope examination to investigate the specific causes of the condition. Treatment typically involves oral medications and nasal sprays, and regular check-ups are also necessary. (Please follow the guidance of a specialist doctor for specific medications and do not self-medicate.)

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.

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.

home-news-image

Written by Deng Bang Yu

Otolaryngology

46sec

home-news-image

Does turbinate hypertrophy require surgery?

In clinical practice, hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates must be differentiated by various causes. If the hypertrophy is simple, such as due to nasal mucosal vasoconstrictors like ephedrine nasal drops or phenylephrine nasal drops, which show good shrinkage response, it suggests a simple hypertrophy, often mainly treated with medication. If the surface of the hypertrophied turbinate is uneven and unresponsive to vasoconstrictors, and if there is severe nasal congestion, reduced sense of smell or even loss of it, then medication may not effectively alleviate the condition. Surgical treatment, such as partial resection of the inferior nasal turbinate, would be needed to restore normal nasal airways.