Concha Bullosa as a Cause of Rhinological Halitosis

Abstract

Objective: Sinonasal diseases are one of the main causes of foul breath. Disruption of mucus drainage leading to bacterial putrefaction is the leading factor of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) production. Concha bullosa (CB) is also one of the factors affecting mucus drainage. Its effect on foul breath was investigated in this study. Materials and methods: Sixty patients were included in the study. The participants were selected from those complaining of halitosis, who have CB formation on at least one side, and pathologic VOCs, hydrogen sulfide, methylmercaptan, and dimethylsulfide levels in their OralChroma measurements. The patients were divided into two groups. Surgery was applied to 32 patients, and no treatment was given to 28 patients. The VOCs levels were evaluated using OralChroma. Results: Sixty patients with a mean age of 36.5 years were included in the study. Before and after the operation of concha bullosa and also when the surgical group and control groups were compared, the decrease in methylmercaptan values was shown to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Concha bullosa should be considered in the etiology of halitosis in cases with no determined cause and high methylmercaptan values.

Keywords

• Halitosis
• concha bullosa
• VOCs
• oral chroma
• methyl mercaptan

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