Deviated Septum
What Is a Deviated Septum?
The nasal cavity is divided into two halves by a partition made
of cartilage and bone, called the nasal septum. The two halves
are the nostrils. In as many as 80% of all people, the nasal
cavity is not divided equally. When this occurs, it is called
a deviated
septum. For most people, this imperfection does not cause any
problems, but for some, it can lead to difficulty in breathing
and even chronic sinus infections.
What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms vary from person to person, depending upon the severity
of the deviation. Some only experience symptoms when they have
a cold or other respiratory infection, and symptoms are usually
worse on one side of the nose than the other. Symptoms include:
Causes of a Deviated Septum
Most often, a deviated septum, especially a severely deviated
septum, is the result of injury to the nose. Many patients can
recall exactly when they began to experience problems, and the
symptoms usually appeared after having some sort of trauma to
the nose. Some patients, though, were born with this deviation.
Diagnosing a Deviated Septum
This condition is typically diagnosed simply through a physical
exam. In order to make sure symptoms are caused by a deviated
septum and not by other conditions, such as swelling or other
anatomic abnormalities, your doctor may use a bright light and
a nasal speculum to gently spread open the nostrils and examine
the inside surface of each nostril. In some cases, x-rays may
be taken.
Treatment Options
The only way to correct a deviated septum is through surgery.
A septoplasty is usually performed on an out-patient basis, with
either general or local anesthesia, and usually takes 1-1 1/2
hours. This procedure is performed entirely through the nostrils,
and if it is the only procedure performed, it does not cause any
bruising or swelling following surgery. A septoplasty can also
be performed in conjunction with rhinoplasty and sinus
surgery.
