Deviated Nasal Septum: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Introduction of deviated nasal septum (DNS)

Deviated nasal septum (DNS) is a common nasal problem all over the world. The incidence of a deviated septum rises with age.

Causes of deviated nasal septum (DNS)

1. Trauma (birth trauma, road accident, assault, sports injury)
2.  Developmental problem
3. Genetic
4. Thumb sucking
5. Nose picking
6. Pressure effect
7. Idiopathic

Types of deviated nasal septum (DNS)

1. Anterior caudal
2. C- shaped
3. S- shaped
4. Septal spur
5. Thicken septum

Symptoms of deviated nasal septum (DNS)

1. Nasal blockage
2. Post nasal drip, discharge
3. Snoring
4. Headache/ facial pain
5. Nasal bleeding
6. Recurrent of persistent sore throat
7. Recurrent ear ache
8. Cosmetic problem
9. Hoarseness

Diagnosis of deviated nasal septum (DNS)

1. Clinical examinations
2. Anterior rhinoscopy
3. X ray PNS (para-nasal sinus)
4. Coronal CT scan of PNS if functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is planned with septal surgery.

Treatment for deviated nasal septum (DNS)

1. No treatment, if no symptoms or mild deviation. (many patients have mild deviation without any symptoms)
2. Surgical treatment for patients with symptoms and gross deviation. There are 2 surgical options for deviated nasal septum.

• Septoplasty
• Submucous resection (SMR)

Now septoplasy is mostly practiced as it has cosmetic value and can be done at any ages above 7 years, but SMR cannot be done in children below 14 years of age.

Courtesy:

Dr. Abdul Matin, FRCS (Edin,Eng,Glasgow), DLO(eng)

Associate professor, ENT

www.matinfrcs.com