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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the clinical features, and surgical treatment of haematoma and abscess of the
nasal septum (HANS).
Patients& methods: Retrospective study. In the Ear nose and throat department at Tikrit Teaching
Hospital.Iraq.Thirty-eight patients with HAND were admitted during eight years, 22 patients(57.8%)
with septal abscess and 16 patients(42.2%) with septal haematoma.All treated by urgent drainage
under GA,and to prevent recollection, a corrugated drain and packing were used in 17
patients(44.7%)(Group A), and a unilateral incision along septal floor, with septal splint and packing
in 21 patients (55.3%)(Group B). Four patients from this group with septal abscess dorsal and
columellar strut were done using available septal cartilage and bones(Group C).All receive
antibiotics. Follow up of the patients for functional and cosmetic results for minimum six months.
Results: The HANS were common in children 27 patients (71.1%) were in age between (3mon.-10
year). History of trauma was in (92.1%). The mean time of diagnosis following trauma in septal
haematoma was(1.9day) ,and for septal abscess was(5.7days).Bilateral nasal obstruction was the
commonest symptoms in(94.7%),then rhinorrhea (57.267%) , pain and tenderness (55.26%).Toxemia
(pyrexia and rapid pulse) found only in patients with septal abscess in (86.4%). The complications
were more in septal abscess, especially external nasal deformities was (86.4%) in septal abscess, and
(6.25%) in septal haematoma. The use of unilateral septal incision and splint found effective in
reducing recollection of blood or pus, thick septum, nasal obstruction, and septal perforation. But
little significant on preventing external nasal deformities. Three patients(75%) with immediate
septal reconstruction not have saddle nose deformity. No septic intracranial complications occurs.
Conclusion: The HAND are uncommon condition, but should be considered in any patient with
history of nasal trauma, especially in children, presented with acute nasal obstruction, The toxemia
with pain suggestive formation of septal abscess which have a dangerous complications. The
immediate septal reconstruction in septal abscess, and unilateral septal incision and septal splint are
effective to minimize the functional and cosmetic complications.
Key word: Nasal Septal Haematoma; Nasal septal Abscess; Nasal -Injuries; Saddle nose deformity;
Nasal septum-Diseases-Complications.
department at Tikrit Teaching Hospital. Iraq. (55.3%) were male and 17 (44.7%) were
During the period from Jan.1997-Dec. 2004. female, underwent surgical drainage at Tikrit
They were 38 patients,22 patients (57.8%) Teaching Hospital during the period of eight
with septal abscess and 16 patients (42.2%) years by same author.22 patients (57.8%) with
with septal haematoma. They were evaluated septal abscess, and 16 patients (42.2%) with
by history taken about nasal trauma septal haematoma.
(type&duration), recent external nasal Commonest age group affected was (3
deformities, nasal obstruction, nasal months-5 years) were21 patients(55.3%),then
discharge, nasal pain and headache. age Group (6-10 years) were 6 patients
General appearance of the patients, pulse rate, (15.8%), then (11-15 year), and(>20 year)
temperature. both were4 patients (10.5%), lastly the age
Full E.N.T examination was done stressing group(16-20 year)was 3 patient (7.9%).The
mainly on the nose, inspection for swelling, septal abscess was common than septal
deformity, palpation for tenderness, elevation haematoma in the age groups (3 months-5
tip of the nose by the thumb for septal year) and (6-10 year), while septal haematoma
swelling mostly occlude the lumen of both was common in the older age groups (Table
nostrils, cystic in probing and anterior 1). Nasal trauma was the causes for all cases
rhinoscopy for localized septal haematoma or of septal haematoma, but in septal abscess 3
abscess. The diagnosis was confirmed by patients (13.62%) were spontaneous
needle aspiration of blood or pus. All patients (unknown) causes. Personal accidents were the
underwent general anesthesia,oro-trachial commonest type of trauma 17 patients
intubation, pharyngeal pack was inserted, Via (44.75%), personal assaults were 11 patients
hemitransfixation incision, subperichondrial (28.93%), animal attacks were 3 patients
dissection and evacuation of the blood, pus (7.9%), lastly post surgical (iatrogenic)two
and all necrotic cartilage removed, the pus cases (5.26%) of septal haematoma following
send for culture and sensitivity test. septoplasty, and sporting also two patients
To prevent recollection before 2001 Insertion (5.26%) ( Table 2).
of small corrugated drain in the floor of the The mean time of presentation following
septum with anterior nasal packing for three trauma, for septal haematoma was 1.9 day (8
days (Group A). After 2001 a longitudinal hours-4 days),and for septal abscess was 5.7
incision was made along the inferior border of days (3-14 days).
the septum on one side, septal splint and Common presentation was bilateral nasal
anterior nasal pack for three days, the stent obstruction 36 patients (94.7%), all 22 patients
removed after seven days (Group B). (100%) with septal abscess and 14 patients
(Group C). Includes patients with septal (87.5%) with septal haematoma,two patients
abscess were immediate reconstruction of with localized septal haematoma. Rhinorrhea
destroyed necrotic nasal septal cartilage using were 22patients (57.26%) more with septal
available cartilage and part of vomer bone for abscess 16 patients (72.7%),while in septal
dorsal and columellar strut, because there is haematoma were 6 patients (37.5%).Pain and
no cartilage bank available in our city. (The tenderness over nasal tip were 21 patients
insertion of the dorsal graft in a pocket via (55.26%),18 patents(81.8%)with septal
unilateral intercartilagenous incision),to abscess, and 3 patients (18.75%) with septal
prevent recollection as in (group B). Simple haematoma due to fracture nasal bones.
close reduction was done for patients with Toxemia (pyrexia and rapid pulse) were found
fracture nasal bones. All patients receive in 19 patients (86.4%) with septal abscess
parentral antibiotics Ampiclox or cephalothin only.
initially till the results of culture and External nasal swelling or deformities were 16
sensitivity results appears. Follow up of the patients(42.1%).Five with fracture nasal
patients for functional and cosmetic outcomes bones{three with septal haematoma,and two
were done for at least six months. with septal abscess},the others reddening of
the nasal bridge and swelling with septal
Results abscess (Table 3).
There were thirty-eight patients with The 16 patients with septal haematoma, to
nasal septal haematoma and abscess, 21 prevent recollection, Group(A) were(7)
patients (43.75%), and Group (B) were (9)
Haematoma and Abscess of Nasal Septum, Clinical Features and Surgical Treatment Outcomes
patients (56.25%). Recollection occurs only in 18 patients (81.81%) {10 patient (100%) in
Group A, were two patients (28.6%), one Group A, 7 patients (87.5%) in Group B, and
patient converted to septal abscess gets one patient (25%) in Group C}. Recollection
external nasal deformities(supra tip of pus occurs in 3 patients (13.6%), all patients
depression). Four patients (25%) gets thick from Group A (30%). Thick septum occurs in
septum {3 patients Group A(42.85%) ,and one 5 patients (22.7%) {4 patients (40%) were
patient (11.1%) group B}. Five patients Group A, and one patient (12.5%) Group
(31.2%) gets nasal obstruction{3 patients B}.Nasal obstruction occurs in 10 patients
(42.85%) Group A, and 2 patients (22.2%) 45.45%){6 patients (60%) In Group A, 3
Group B} (Table 4). patients (37.5%) in Group B, and one patient
The 22 patients with septal abscess. Group A (25%)in Group C}. Septal perforation occurs
were 10 patients (45.45%), Group B were 8 in one patient (4.5%) in patient with
patients (36.37%), and Group C were 4 recollection following drainage using
patients (18.18%) aged 15, 17, 20, 27 year. corrugated drain in both operations (Table 5).
External nasal deformity(form simple supratip No cases of intracranial septic complications
depression to obvious saddle Nose) occurs in were occurred (Table 5).
et al all the patients had a history of trauma (3), cartilage. The cartilage replaced with fibrous
Jalaludin (85.7%) of septal abscess due to tissue which can retract leaving the lower two-
trauma(13). Alvarez H (56.2%) due to trauma third of the nose unsupported (17).The saddle
(12)
. nose is inevitable in septal abscess,
There is conflicting evidence regarding the characterized by loss of nasal dorsal height
benefit of using a drain to prevent recollection which represent wide range of severity (10) (11),
of the blood or the pus after drainage (3), author related to the severity of cartilage necrosis
using nasal packing for five days to allow ,from simple supratip depression to obvious
healing to begin adequately (16), other maintain dorsal depression with loss of nasal tip support
drainage by inserting drainage tube in the and definition (10). But a study on two patients
buttom of the cavity and the mucosa replaced with extensively destroyed cartilage were
and maintained in this position by nasal examined a few months and the septal
packing (5), other maintain drainage by cartilage appeared to have completely
excising small square of the regenerated (15), synichia which also affect
mucoperichondrium on one side with nasal nasal patency occurs in three patients all not
packing (1). Another treatment option is use septal stent. One case of septal perforation
immediate drainage and Placement of Penrose that usually occurs over the area of
drain (18), or using soft rubber drain with cartilaginous necrosis. was found in one
packing (2). patient with septal abscess using a drain.
In this study to prevent recollection, using The drainage and immediate reconstruction of
corrugated drain and anterior nasal packing for the destroyed nasal septum in acute phase are
early cases, and make a longitudinal incision the golden standard in the treatment of septum
along the floor of the nose on one side and infected haematoma in children, to prevent
sialastic septal stent inserted and packing in short and long- term effect on nasal and mid
other cases. Cosmetically both methods have face growth (7)(19), Using materials taken from
no significant effect on preventing saddle nose the nose (20), if this material can't be obtained,
in septal abscess. The use of the septal stent implantation of homologous bank cartilage or
found to be effective for reducing the mosaic plastic using small pieces of residual
incidence of recollection of septal haematoma septal cartilage assembled with fibrin glue(7),
or the abscess by preventing oozing by made or using preserved rib cartilage allo graft(21)
both mucoperichondrium in contact closer The homograft cartilage can be harversed from
than presence of the corrugated drain which patient who have undergone submucosal
located in between, as well the longitudinal resection and conveniently stored in 0.1%
incision along the inferior border of the sodium mercurothiosalicylate (5). In our study
septum which made continuous drainage, four patients with septal abscess, dorsal and
added by persistent pressure of septal stent, columellar strut were done using available
while in cases using a corrugated drain healthy septal cartilage and vomer bone, with
recurrence and revision surgery were indicated success in three cases (75%). This may
in (two patients (28.6%) in septal haematoma, prevent saddle nose deformity and reduce the
and three patients (30%) in septal abscess), indication for augmentation rhinoplasty later.
and functionally septal splent gives better Cartilage graft can be used even if the abscess
results, less incidence of nasal obstruction formation has occurred (22) ( 23) (24), have all
because of less incidence of thick nasal shown that these grafts takes well and
septum. effectively in prevent the saddling deformities
Nasal obstruction due to thick(widened) which other wise inevitably occur (5).
septum which reduce airway(2) due to In conclusion, the HAND should be
incomplete evacuation of blood, or continue considered in any patient with history of nasal
oozing. The blood clots will organized and trauma, especially in childrens, presented with
fibrosis causes thick septum. As well collapse acute nasal obstruction, The toxemia with pain
of the cartilaginous nasal septum in saddle suggestive formation of septal abscess which
nose which commonly following septal have a dangerous complications. This point l
abscess. So the external nasal deformities, and recommended that the pediatricin and general
nasal obstruction were common in septal practitioner should aware about for early
abscess than septal haematoma. Saddle nose detection of septal haematoma befor
deformity results from necrosis of septal converted to abscess. The immediate septal
Haematoma and Abscess of Nasal Septum, Clinical Features and Surgical Treatment Outcomes
reconstruction in septal abscess, and unilateral 13. Jalaludin MA.Nasal septal abscess-
septal incision and septal splint are effective retrospective analysis:Singapore Med
to minimize the functional and cosmetic J.1993 Oct; 34(5): 435-7.
complications. 14. Kryger H,Dommerby H; Haematoma
and abscess of the nasal septum;Clin-
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Haematoma and Abscess of Nasal Septum, Clinical Features and Surgical Treatment Outcomes