One of the places where bacteria accumulate is the upper respiratory tract. There is often localized a focus of chronic inflammation. Among the ENT organs in which bacterial and viral particles accumulate, a special place is occupied by the nasal concha. Their inflammation and edema are the main cause of breathing difficulties. Pathologies of the nasal concha lead to a runny nose, snoring, and headaches. The most common ailment is sinusitis.
This is an inflammation of the inferior nasal concha, which is diagnosed in both adults and children. Other diseases are various sinusitis - frontal sinusitis, ethmoiditis, sphenoiditis. In some cases, there is a combined inflammation of all the nasal concha. Treatment of such pathologies begins with drug therapy. Unfortunately, in some cases it is ineffective. Then the otolaryngologist recommends surgery.
Nasal conch: structure
Nasal concha are the formations necessary to limit the inflammatory process. Normally, they are present in adults and children. These formations consist of a bone base. Outside, nasal concha are covered with mucous membrane. The main function of these organs is to ensure the passage of air. Each of the shells divides the nasal cavity into 3 strokes. Their functions are different and depend on the location and structures adjacent to them.
Allocate 3 nasal concha: upper, middle and lower. The first two are formed by plates of the trellis labyrinth. The lower nasal concha is based on a separate bone. It forms the course that is necessary for the outflow of tears. The upper and middle shells communicate with the sinuses. With their inflammation or injury, the passage of air is difficult.
Diseases
The nasal concha are covered with soft tissues, therefore, upon infection, their edema and increase in size are observed. As a result of this, not only difficulty in breathing occurs, but also increased secretion of mucus. As a result of hypertrophy, the nasal passages formed by the shells decrease, that is, they become narrower. Inflammation of these organs is very dangerous, since these structures are in close proximity to the brain. Terrible complications of upper respiratory tract infections are meningitis, encephalitis and sepsis. The most common pathologies are inflammatory lesions of the nasal sinuses - sinusitis. Of these, the most common disease is sinusitis.
Inflammation of the nasal concha and sinuses leads to difficulty breathing, stagnation of mucus and pus, and headaches. Another cause of these symptoms is vasomotor rhinitis. It is also caused by inflammation, but the main difference is that with this pathology it is rarely possible to achieve a stable remission. A similar phenomenon is explained by an abundant blood supply to the nasal concha. The less common ailments include congenital anomalies of the ENT organs, trauma, and neoplasms.
Treatment of pathologies of the nasal concha
As a result of soft tissue edema, the nasal concha increase. Treatment is necessary, since mucosal hypertrophy can lead to complete sinus obstruction. Therefore, with inflammatory pathologies, it is necessary to start therapy as soon as possible. It consists in the appointment of antibacterial, antiviral agents, local treatment. For allergic rhinitis, antihistamines are necessary.
As you know, a runny nose is the main reason for the use of vasoconstrictor drugs. Among them, the drugs "Naphthyzinum", "Ximelin", "Nazivin", etc. Despite the fact that these drugs help to cope with a runny nose, it is contraindicated to abuse them. This is especially true for children. Frequent use of drops can lead to atrophy of the nasal mucosa. In adults, vasoconstrictor drugs are addictive. Therefore, drops are prescribed for no more than 5-7 days. If, in addition to rhinitis, there are signs of intoxication, and on the x-ray - a picture of sinusitis, then antibiotic therapy is necessary. Prescribe drugs "Cefazolin", Rosenfeld ointment.
Indications for surgical procedures
In some cases, drug treatment does not completely cure a runny nose. Most often this is observed with vasomotor rhinitis. In the presence of this pathology, patients often abuse vasoconstrictor drugs. As a result, medications lose their effectiveness, an addictive body develops. Cancellation of drops leads to the resumption of a runny nose. In this case, surgical treatment of the pathology is recommended. Most often, otolaryngologists insist on vasotomy of the nasal concha. In addition to these indications, there are other reasons for surgery.
Among them:
- Congenital malformations of nasal concha and passages.
- Benign neoplasms (polyps).
- Vascular malformation.
- Injuries leading to the curvature of the nasal septum and difficulty breathing.
Although a runny nose is not considered a severe symptom, in some cases, surgery is the only method of treatment. It should be remembered that persistent turbinate hypertrophy can lead to oxygen deficiency of the brain. In addition, severe sinusitis is often complicated by a breakthrough of a purulent focus and the development of sepsis.
Vasotomy of the lower nasal concha: description of the method
One of the treatments for chronic rhinitis is vasotomy. Given that the nasal concha are hypertrophied, it is necessary to reduce soft tissue edema. With vasomotor rhinitis, an increase in organs occurs due to abundant blood supply and proliferation of the mucous membrane. This method of treatment is the dissection of blood vessels. As a result, there is a violation of the blood supply to the mucous membrane and a decrease in its thickness.
This procedure is most often performed on the lower nasal concha. It can be either single or double-sided. In most cases, hypertrophy of both shells is observed.
The technique of vasotomy
The operation on the lower nasal concha takes about 15-30 minutes. In this case, the patient is conscious. To prevent psychomotor agitation and fright, a blindfold is applied to the patient. During the procedure, the patient is in a sitting position. Special preparation for this surgical intervention is not required.
Vasotomy of the nasal concha is performed under local anesthesia. If necessary, such a procedure does not require hospitalization of the patient. The only exceptions are those cases in which postoperative complications (bleeding) develop.
Vasotomy refers to the traditional surgical method. An incision is made in the nasal cavity, and a special tool is inserted - a raspator. With it, the otolaryngologist separates the mucous membrane. As a result of this procedure, scarring of the vascular tissue occurs. As a result of repeated overgrowth of the mucous membrane does not occur.
Cauterization of nasal concha: what is it for?
An alternative method of surgical treatment is cauterization of blood vessels. It differs in that instead of cutting with a scalpel, the operation is performed with a laser. Under the influence of radiation, the tissue of the nasal concha is destroyed, and the vessels are “sealed”.
Currently, this method is more preferred and is carried out in almost every clinic.
Methods of cauterization of nasal concha
There are several varieties of cauterization of the nasal concha. The most common is laser surgery. In addition to her, stands out:
- Electrocauterization. This method consists in probe cauterization of blood vessels.
- Cryodestruction. This procedure is considered the most gentle, it is used for small defects of the mucous membrane. It is carried out using liquid nitrogen.
- Radiocoagulation. The essence of the method is piercing soft tissues and introducing into the holes of the apparatus for cauterization of blood vessels.