Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Radiofrequency tissue reduction for turbinate hypertrophy in June, 2014.
Description
This guidance updates and replaces radiofrequency tissue reduction for turbinate hypertrophy (NICE interventional procedure guidance 36, January 2004).
Inferior turbinates are ridges inside the nose, covered by mucous membrane, which increase the surface area within the nose and help to filter and humidify inspired air. Inflammation of the mucous membrane (rhinitis) can cause inferior turbinates to swell (turbinate hypertrophy). This narrows the nasal passage, and may cause complete nasal obstruction. Symptoms include breathing difficulties, excessive mucous secretion (rhinorrhoea), post-nasal drip, facial discomfort/pain and mid-facial headaches.
Treatment options depend on the duration and severity of turbinate hypertrophy. Medical treatments include corticosteroid injections, nasal corticosteroid sprays and decongestants. Surgical treatments include microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty and laser-assisted turbinoplasty. These procedures are reserved for patients with persistent symptomatic turbinate hypertrophy that has not responded to medical management, or for patients in whom medical management is contraindicated.
Coding recommendations
Procedure
SNOMED CT preferred term (concept ID)
Radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of nasal turbinate (822291000000106)
E04.2 Excision of turbinate of nose NEC
Includes: Reduction of turbinate of nose NEC
Y11.4 Radiofrequency controlled thermal destruction of organ NOC
Diagnosis or health condition
SNOMED CT preferred term (concept ID)
Hypertrophy of nasal turbinates (17467004)