High-resolution CT appearance of pneumatization of the inferior turbinate / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the HRCT features of pneumatized inferior turbinate and to evaluate their diagnostic value.Methods Twelve cases of pneumatized inferior turbinates demonstrated by HRCT were retrospectively analyzed.Results Coronal HRCT could demonstrate pneumatization of the inferior turbinate clearly and directly.Unilateral pneumatization was found in 11 cases and bilateral in one case. According to the location of pneumatization,pneumatized inferior turbinates were classified into three types bulbous,lamellar,and extensive types.Five of 12 cases were bulbous,5 were lamellar and 2 were extensive type.On coronal HRCT scans,bulbous type showed nodular shape in one case,oval and ellipse shape in 2 cases each,respectively.Lamellar pneumatization appeared as curved stripe-like shape in 4 cases communicating with the maxillary sinus and ellipse shape in one case.Extensive type was found in 2 cases, curled lamella-like shape was found in 1 case communicating with the maxillary sinus and ellipse shape in another case.In 5 cases with maxillary sinus communication,axial HRCT revealed a defect on the medial wall of the maxillary sinus.In such a condition,the maxillary process of palatine bone and maxillary bone attached to the lower turbinate separately.Conclusion HRCT was an optimal imaging modality for the diagnosis of pneumatization of the inferior turbinate and may help the clinicians to differentiate from other causes of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy.