Curvature of the nasalseptum is a common condition that patients present to their ENT doctor with. There are many causes as well as symptoms of this condition, very often when the symptoms are more severe the only form of treatment is surgery.
Table of contents:
Symptoms
The main symptoms of a crooked nasal septum are a blocked nose (both unilaterally and bilaterally) and recurrent sinusitis and pain. A situation in which one's hearing deteriorates should also not be underestimated, as this too can be one of the symptoms of a crooked septum.
Other symptoms can be:
- recurrent infections of the upper respiratory tract (sinusitis, pharyngitis),
- ear infections or chronic inflammation of the ear,
- snoring,
- periodic blockage of the ears due to poorer pressure balance in the middle ear,
- headaches,
- nosebleeds,
- deterioration in the perception of odours.
Causes
There can be many causes ofa crooked nasal septum; we distinguish between congenital and acquired causes. A congenital situation occurs when the patient has not had any facial trauma, the external nose is not deformed and the curvature affects the distal part of the nasal septum. Acquired nasal cur vatures are also caused by perinatal trauma. In contrast, mechanical injuries of other types are acquired causes.
Treatment
Not every treatment of a crooked nasal septum involves surgery. A patient is qualified for septoplasty when symptoms prevent normal functioning. The procedure can be performed regardless of age, although the recommended age is 15 years. (especially in cases where there is only a curvature of the septum). There are situations where septoplasty alone is not enough and a rhinoplasty should also be performed.
