Nasal turbinates are bony structures located inside the nose, covered by a special skin called mucosa. Their primary function involves conditioning the air inhaled through the nostrils before it reaches the lungs. This includes warming, humidifying, and filtering the air to remove dust, pollen, and other particles.
Turbinate Enlargement and Its Impact
Turbinates can become enlarged, a condition known as turbinate hypertrophy, which can impede normal nasal breathing. This enlargement often stems from chronic sinus inflammation, seasonal allergies, upper respiratory infections, hormonal changes, certain medications, and environmental irritants.
When turbinates are enlarged, individuals experience symptoms such as nasal obstruction, difficulty breathing, and congestion. Other common complaints include an altered sense of smell, snoring, and dry mouth upon waking due to mouth breathing. These symptoms can significantly affect daily activities and sleep quality.
Surgical Approaches and Regrowth Potential
When medical treatments do not adequately relieve symptoms, surgical intervention may be considered to reduce turbinate size. These procedures aim to improve airflow while preserving the turbinates’ essential functions.
Different surgical techniques exist, such as radiofrequency ablation, which uses heat to shrink the soft tissue, and submucosal reduction, involving the removal of some bone or tissue.
When turbinates appear to “grow back” after surgery, it is not the bone regenerating. Instead, the soft tissue lining, or mucosa, hypertrophies again.
Surgeons avoid complete removal of turbinate tissue to prevent complications like empty nose syndrome, where the nose feels paradoxically obstructed despite being open. The goal is to reduce the turbinate volume while maintaining some functional tissue.
Factors Influencing Recurrence
Recurrence of turbinate enlargement after surgery can be influenced by several factors. An incomplete initial reduction of the turbinate tissue can lead to persistent symptoms. Ongoing exposure to irritants or uncontrolled underlying conditions, such as chronic allergies or sinusitis, causes the remaining turbinate tissue to swell again.
Other turbinates may enlarge as a compensatory response to the reduced size of the surgically treated ones. The formation of scar tissue during healing can contribute to renewed obstruction. Addressing these ongoing issues is important for maintaining long-term relief after surgery.
Managing Recurrent Symptoms
For individuals experiencing recurrent turbinate-related symptoms, a range of management strategies are available. Medical options include nasal corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation and swelling within the nasal passages. Antihistamines and saline rinses can help manage allergy-related swelling and clear irritants.
If medical management proves insufficient, revision surgery may be considered to further reduce turbinate size. Consulting an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist is important for proper diagnosis and to develop a personalized treatment plan. This ensures the approach aligns with the specific cause and severity of the recurrent symptoms.