The nasal septum is a bone-cartilaginous plate that divides the nasal cavity into two halves. Deviation of the septum is a change in the shape of this plate, in which it deviates from the median position.

Why is the nasal septum deviated?

This can happen for two reasons:

1. result of a nasal injury. Any mechanical impact (impact, compression) can cause displacement of the nasal septum;
2. congenital change of the septum; When the bones of the skull ossify, a ring of bone is formed (like a hole in the nose near the skull on a pirate flag), and the nasal septum continues to grow.

Why is a deviated septum dangerous?

First of all, the curvature disrupts nasal breathing. Thus, the nose ceases to perform its functions:

• warm and humidify the air, that is, prepare it to enter the lower respiratory tract;
• stand as an outpost on the path of infection, since the nasal mucosa is saturated with substances and cells that fight infection.

When the function of nasal breathing is impaired, a person begins to breathe through the mouth, and unprepared, unpurified air enters the throat along with bacteria, causing various respiratory diseases.

The nasal septum divides the nasal cavity into two symmetrical parts. Newborn babies have a smooth and straight plate. Its structure is completely cartilaginous tissue, on which minor ossifications are present. As the body grows, the bone lesions turn into bones and fuse into one bone. This formation process ends by age 10.

An adult is characterized by the following structure: the front part of the plate is cartilaginous tissue, and the back part is thin bone. Both sides are lined with mucous membrane. But a straight partition is extremely rare. Most often it is curved, and this can happen for various reasons.

Causes in adults

Before prescribing treatment, the doctor is obliged to conduct an external examination of the patient, as well as determine the underlying factor that caused the pathology. Today these reasons are varied.

The photo shows a deviated nasal septum in adults

Physiological

These causes are related to the growth of the skull bones or birth defects. The most common include:

1. The bone of the brain and facial parts of the skull grew unevenly. With the active development of the brain, the nasal cavity narrowed, resulting in a curvature of the plate.
2. Uneven development of bone and cartilage tissue of the nasal septum. This suggests that the bone tissue was actively growing, while the nasal plate, consisting of cartilaginous tissue, succumbed to deformation.
3. Increased growth of the rudimentary Jacobson's organ. It is concentrated in the olfactory part of the nose. Presented in the form of a cluster of nervous tissue. If it grows actively, then this is a direct path to limited space for the normal formation of the nasal plate and, as a result, to its curvature.

On the video, the causes of a deviated nasal septum:

Compensatory

These reasons for the development of pathology are associated with the fact that various formations are formed in the nasal cavity, which include:

1. Hypertrophy. There is an increased formation of one and nasal conchas. As a result, the enlarged shell puts pressure on the plate, causing it to deform.

   The photo shows nasal hypertrophy

2. The presence of polyps and tumors on the nasal mucosa. If the tumors expand greatly, they obscure one of the nostrils. Thus, nasal breathing is disrupted, and the plate itself is deformed, as it tries to eliminate this condition.

Traumatic

These causes depend on the injuries that led to the displacement of the nasal bone and the curvature of the plate. Most often, the pathology is diagnosed in teenage boys and men. This is the category of people in whom skull and facial injuries are most common. Due to the strong impact, displacement of the nasal bones is observed.

This leads to deformation of the nose plate, and it can occur even if the blow was not too strong. Incorrect fusion of the nasal bones after a fracture can affect the development of the most severe deformities.

What influences the development of deformity in children

Difficulty breathing air through the nose is a problem that is often diagnosed in infants. Since the baby has not yet learned to breathe through his mouth, the feeding process is disrupted, and he sleeps very poorly at night.

Many parents associate their child’s nasal congestion with dry air in the room, frequent acute respiratory infections and air pollution. Of course, these factors have an impact when the baby inhales air through the nose. But they are temporary.

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But when nasal congestion is observed for a long period of time, it is most often associated with this pathology, such as a deviated septum.

As mentioned earlier, this is a plate that consists of cartilage tissue and thin bone. She will divide the nose into 2 parts. Only in children this plate is more elastic and soft, which makes it susceptible to injury and damage. And, as you know, children love active games, which result in bumps or falls on their faces.

On video what affects the development of nasal septum deformation in children:

The nasal septum begins to fully develop by the age of 10 years. If there is slight deformation, then this is normal. In this case, the child breathes fully through his nose and does not feel any severe symptoms.

The following factors can influence the development of pathology in children:

• trauma during childbirth;
• uneven development of the skull bones due to the rapid formation of cartilage tissue of the nasal cavity;
• the presence of a polyp or other neoplasm that grows in the nose and puts pressure on the plate;
• inflammation, which leads to thickening of the nasal plate in the cartilage area;
• curvature of the nose after injury - fracture.

An uneven septum can be detected in a child at any age, so age is not a barrier here. It all depends on the severity of the symptoms. A baby can live normally throughout childhood with an uneven septum without visible symptoms. But already, as an adult, the clinical picture takes on more pronounced outlines.

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Degrees

There are several classifications of deviated septum, among which the type of pathology is distinguished according to the nature of its severity. Thus, the curvature of the plate can be 1, 2 or 3 degrees. For the first degree, the deformation from the conventional line of the middle of the nose is insignificant. In the second degree, the protruding plate occupies half the distance from the midline and to the lateral surface of the nasal cavity. But the third degree involves practically touching the edge of the septum on the side of the nasal cavity.

On video the degree of curvature of the nasal septum:

If a patient is diagnosed with stage 1 pathology, then there is no need for special treatment. This condition occurs in most people. But grade 2 or 3 deformities require therapy, as they are characterized by severe symptoms and complications. Moreover, you should not delay treatment, because this can lead to neighboring organs being involved in the pathological process.

A variety of reasons can affect the development of a deviated septum. But among the most common are injury or birth defect. In any case, you need to see a doctor so that he can assess the extent of the pathology. If during the diagnosis it was discovered that a deviated septum does not interfere with a person’s ability to work and live fully, then no steps towards treatment will be taken.

Therefore, not every deformity is considered a pathology and does not always need correction.

If the curvature is pronounced and leads to a number of serious consequences, they speak of the presence of pathology. In this case, the help of a specialist is needed. According to medical observations, septal displacement rarely occurs in young children. Much more often, the disease is diagnosed in adolescents aged 14–17 years, during the active development of the body.

Anatomy and main functions of the nasal septum

The septum is the inner wall of the nasal cavity, dividing it into two halves. The lateral plate consists of mobile cartilage tissue and fixed bone.

In infants, the nasal wall is most often absolutely straight. There is still no clear division into cartilage and bone tissue; almost the entire lateral plate consists of cartilage with minor areas of ossification. Over time, they harden and grow together. Failure in this process often leads to various defects in the inner wall.

Changes caused by deformation of the nasal septum

A deviated nasal septum causes many pathological disorders in the patient's body. The respiratory system is primarily affected by the defect. Displacement of the median wall causes narrowing of the nasal canal and nasal congestion.

A deviated septum causes difficulty breathing

In addition, numerous changes occur in the mucous membrane. Under normal conditions, the epithelium constantly produces a small amount of secretion, which serves to humidify the incoming air. As a result of pathological disorders on the part of the septum, turbulence occurs, and air currents constantly affect the mucous membrane in a certain place. Here the epithelium thickens and stops producing secretions. Crusts form in the nostrils, the mucous membrane dries out and loses its protective functions.

Constant nasal congestion provokes mouth breathing. It is less complete and has many disadvantages:

• causes oxygen starvation;
• increases the risk of respiratory diseases, the development of adenoiditis.

A patient with a deviated nasal septum develops reflex disorders:

• short-term attacks of suffocation;
• frequent headaches;
• bronchial asthma;
• failure of all body systems.

Local pathologies develop - all kinds of sinusitis, inflammation of the lacrimal sac, otitis media and eustachitis.

Why does curvature occur?

There are many reasons for a deviated nasal septum. All of them can be divided into three groups:

• physiological (congenital) deformities;
• traumatic displacements;
• compensatory reasons.

Congenital deviations from the norm are associated with hereditary pathologies, impaired growth of the skull bones (facial bones, upper jaw), and facial presentation of the fetus. In addition, a deviated nasal septum may result from forceps delivery.

Congenital curvature of the nasal wall is often the result of obstetrics

Traumatic displacements are most often diagnosed in young men and boys. They arise as a result of facial trauma. A strong blow to the nasal area can disrupt the position of the septum and lead to its significant curvature. The internal wall is especially strongly affected by bones that have not healed properly after a fracture.

Often, deformation of the nasal septum develops against the background of various pathological conditions of the body. The cause of compensatory violations is:

• prolonged rhinitis;
• polyposis;
• one-sided congestion;
• hypertrophy (excessive enlargement) of one of the nasal cavities;
• purulent abscesses in the nose.

To prescribe the correct treatment, it is very important to understand what exactly caused the defect in the middle wall of the nose.

Types of curvatures

The main area of ​​displacement is the anterior, cartilaginous part of the septum. Since the posterior wall is bone, there is virtually no deformation in this area.

The displacement of the nasal septum can be different:

• in a horizontal or vertical plane;
• at the beginning or in the middle of the median wall;
• one-sided (left-sided or right-sided), C-shaped;
• double-sided (S-shaped).

A more significant defect usually develops as a ridge or spine, where the bony abnormality pushes against the wall of the nasal cavity.

Common types of lateral nasal wall deformities

The degree of curvature of the nasal septum relative to the central axis and the type of deformation determine the symptoms and complications, as well as the method of treating the pathology.

To determine the type of deviation, it is necessary to undergo rhinoscopy in the office of an ENT doctor. For a more accurate diagnosis, MRI is used. The study allows you to display a three-dimensional projection of the nasal cavity.

Symptoms of deformation

Symptoms of curvature of the lateral wall directly depend on the severity of the deformity. Patients most often complain of the following manifestations of the pathological condition:

• difficulty breathing up to its complete cessation (the nose does not breathe on one or both sides);
• dry mucous membranes;
• rhinitis (runny nose) in chronic form;
• deterioration of sense of smell;
• headaches, weakness, fatigue associated with oxygen deficiency;
• snore;
• frequent nosebleeds;
• signs of respiratory inflammation of the pharynx and larynx.

If the lateral septum is deviated as a result of injury, the shape of the nose may be abnormal. In difficult cases, the patient notes pain in the ears, blurred vision, increased blood pressure and irregularities in the heart rhythm.

A crooked nasal septum provokes frequent pathologies of the ENT organs. At the same time, the course of the disease becomes noticeably more complicated, and recovery slows down.

Treatment methods

What to do if a displacement of the lateral wall is detected? How to treat? Is it possible to help a patient with medications or will he still have to go “under the surgeon’s knife”? It all depends on the severity of the symptoms, the nature of the deviations and the factors that caused them.

For example, if the cause of a deviated nasal septum is an injury, then the deformity can be quite successfully corrected within a few hours or even days with the help of a nasal dilator jaw. The procedure is performed quickly and without incisions.

Using the jaw, you can correct a simple displacement of the nasal septum

To eliminate the symptoms of a deviated septum, vasoconstrictor drops and sprays, antimicrobial drugs, and nasal rinsing are used. These therapeutic techniques provide the patient with only temporary relief. They are not able to cope with the cause of the pathological deviation.

If symptoms develop against the background of disorders in the osteochondral structures, then only surgery can help.

Surgical treatment of a displaced nasal septum

Surgical intervention for defects of the lateral wall of the nose is performed from the age of 14. However, in case of severe deformation that greatly complicates breathing, operations are indicated from 4 to 6 years of age. In children, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, in adults - under local anesthesia.

Indications for surgical intervention

Surgical treatment for a deviated nasal septum is sometimes the only way to cope with the disease. The help of a surgeon is necessary if the cause of the deformity is the following diseases:

• chronic or vasomotor rhinitis;
• inflammation of the ear or eustachian tube;
• various sinusitis;
• constant headaches;
• frequent nosebleeds;
• severe difficulty breathing;
• heavy snoring;
• external cosmetic defects.

Frequent nosebleeds are an indication for surgery

In addition, congenital pathology also requires surgical assistance.

Contraindications for surgery

Despite the obvious effectiveness of surgical intervention, the procedure cannot be done for everyone. There are a number of contraindications for its implementation:

• old age of the patient;
• hemophilia;
• some pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• cancer alertness;
• mental disorders;
• diabetes mellitus;
• severe infectious diseases.

The general unsatisfactory condition of the patient may also serve as a contraindication to the intervention.

Surgery for deformed nasal septum

Modern medicine can correct the median wall in several ways. The most popular and common is septoplasty.

Correction of a crooked nasal septum involves optimal removal/reconstruction of the lateral wall or its fragments. The procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia and only through the nostrils. No incisions are made on the face.

After the procedure, turundas soaked in a hemostatic agent are inserted into the patient’s nostrils. It is possible to install splints to help hold the septum in the midline.

Silicone splints help keep the nasal wall in the correct position

If the curvature of the nasal septum is combined with pathologies of the ethmoid bone or non-standard size and shape of the nasal turbinates, then these defects are also eliminated during surgery.

Laser septoplasty

This type of intervention is less traumatic than classic septoplasty, but is not effective enough. Laser treatment will help eliminate minor deviations in the structure of the septum.

The operation on the median wall takes 15–30 minutes. For pain relief, it is enough to use a spray containing lidocaine. After the procedure, splints are installed to fix the septum in the correct position, which are removed the next day.

You can read more about the types of septoplasty and methods of intervention here.

Rehabilitation period

For a week after septoplasty, the patient must wear splints, which are then painlessly removed. Breathing is usually completely restored within 4–5 days. In the postoperative period, it is recommended to remove crusts from the nose daily and rinse with sea salt solutions.

During rehabilitation, the nose must be irrigated with salts of the Adriatic Sea

If the patient complains of pain, he is prescribed analgesics. Antibacterial drugs may be prescribed to prevent complications. After discharge from the hospital, the patient is observed by the attending physician for 30 days.

Deformation of the nasal septum in pediatrics

Displacement of the lateral wall of the nose in children is observed much less frequently than in adults. However, such a pathological deviation can seriously affect the health, physical and mental development of the child.

Causes of deviated nasal septum in children:

• Traumatic deformity. It can occur both during childbirth and in the subsequent period.
• Compensatory effects. Frequent respiratory diseases, adenoiditis, polyposis, chronic rhinitis - all this can provoke a pathological condition.
• Different rates of growth of cartilage and bone tissue of the nose in adolescence.

Not all children need therapy. Correction of the deformity is necessary only if the baby’s breathing is very difficult and this threatens him with serious consequences.

A septal defect in childhood can affect the baby's mental and physical well-being.

In childhood, the main direction in the fight against the defect is treatment without surgery. The following medications are used for this:

• Glucocorticosteroids - Fluticasone, Avamys, Nasonex.
• Local antibiotics - Bioparox, Isofra, Polydex with phenylephrine.
• Mucolytic agents - Rinofluimucil spray.
• Moisturizing aerosols - Aqua Maris, Dolphin, Salin, Morenasal.
• Vasoconstrictor drugs - Nazol Baby, Vibrocil, Physiomer spray.

At an early age, they try to avoid surgical intervention if possible, fearing that the procedure will negatively affect the further formation of the nose. Surgery is resorted to if drug treatment does not give the expected effect.

Consequences of curvature

The conditions that result from a lateral wall defect are difficult to predict. As a rule, pathological changes are formed under the influence of the patient’s age, the degree of the defect and concomitant ailments.

Consequences of a deviated nasal septum:

• development of bronchial asthma;
• increased susceptibility to viruses and infections;
• dryness and sore throat, cough;
• headaches, decreased vitality, deterioration of memory and learning ability;
• the appearance of shortness of breath.

If a crooked nasal septum does not allow a person suffering from obesity, atherosclerosis and hypertension to sleep peacefully, then periodic stoppages of breathing can provoke a stroke.

Deformation of the nasal septum is a pathological condition, the treatment of which is best done in a timely manner. The defect, as a rule, negatively affects the functionality of all organs and systems. Therefore, you should not underestimate such a seemingly frivolous ailment.

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ATTENTION! All information on the site is for informational purposes only and does not claim to be absolutely accurate from a medical point of view. Treatment must be carried out by a qualified doctor. By self-medicating you can harm yourself!

Deviated nasal septum - causes, types, symptoms, consequences, treatment methods

What is the nasal septum?

Causes of a deviated nasal septum

Physiological causes are associated with impaired growth of the skull bones or congenital anomalies. Among them are:

• uneven growth of the bones of the cerebral and facial parts of the skull - active growth of the cerebral part of the skull leads to a decrease in the size of the nasal cavity and bending of the nasal septum;
• uneven growth of foci of bone and cartilage tissue of the nasal septum - more active growth of bone tissue leads to deformation of areas of the nasal septum consisting of cartilage tissue;
• excessive growth of the rudimentary Jacobson's organ, located in the olfactory region of the nose and consisting of an accumulation of nervous tissue - the active growth of this rudiment leads to a limitation of space for the normal development of the nasal septum and its curvature.

Compensatory reasons are due to the presence of various pathological formations in the nasal cavity:

• hypertrophy of one of the nasal conchas - an enlarged nasal concha puts pressure on the nasal septum and causes its deformation and displacement;
• tumors and polyps of the nasal mucosa - when they are large, nasal breathing is disrupted, and the nasal septum compensates for this condition and becomes bent.

Traumatic causes are caused by various injuries that contribute to the displacement of the nasal bones and the curvature of the nasal septum. The most pronounced deformations are observed when the nasal bones do not heal properly after a fracture.

Types and types of deviated nasal septum

According to the type of deformation, pathological curvature can be:

• S-shaped anterior-posterior;
• S-shaped;
• C-shaped;
• curvature in relation to the bone crest of the upper jaw;
• curvature of the bone crest of the upper jaw and nasal septum.

Minor deformations of the nasal septum are not considered by otolaryngologists as a pathology.

Symptoms of a deviated nasal septum

• chronic inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis);
• increased susceptibility to viral respiratory tract infections;
• nosebleeds;
• constant discomfort in the nose;
• vasomotor rhinitis (due to excessive proliferation of blood vessels);
• pain in the nose and face;
• noisy breathing through the nose during sleep (especially in children);
• snore;
• swelling of the mucous membrane on the affected side;
• headaches;
• fatigue;
• tendency to depression;
• decreased concentration and memory.

In patients with a deviated nasal septum, respiratory infections last longer and are often accompanied by complications, and inflammation of the nasal mucosa leads to even greater deformation. Constantly impaired breathing through the nose leads to the progression or development of allergic rhinitis, which can subsequently become the cause of bronchial asthma.

Deviated nasal septum in a child

• headaches;
• fatigue;
• poor memorization of new information;
• decreased attentiveness;
• frequent whims.

Consequences of a deviated nasal septum

• tendency to frequent colds;
• rhinitis (vasomotor, hypertrophic, atrophic, allergic);
• frontal sinusitis;
• sinusitis;
• sinusitis;
• tubootitis;
• otitis media;
• spasms of the larynx;
• bronchial asthma;
• convulsive epileptiform seizures;
• astheno-vegetative syndrome;
• disorders of the heart, eyes and other organs;
• dysmenorrhea;
• decreased immunity.

Treatment

Septoplasty

• often exacerbating chronic sinusitis;
• chronic swelling of the nasal mucosa;
• frequent colds;
• persistent itching or dryness in the nose;
• frequent headaches or facial pain;
• snore.

Surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia. Typically, the operation lasts about 1-2 hours. The surgeon makes an incision and peels away the mucous membrane. Next, the deformed areas of cartilage are excised. After this, the mucous membrane is returned to its place, absorbable sutures are placed on the mucous membrane or skin, and gauze swabs are inserted into the lumens of the nasal passages, which help stop bleeding and protect the wound surface from infection. A special plaster bandage is applied to the nose. As a rule, after the operation is completed, there is no bruising or swelling left on the face.

• bleeding disorders;
• diabetes mellitus;
• infectious diseases;
• oncological diseases;
• severe diseases of internal organs.

Septoplasty, like any other surgical procedure, can be complicated by infection or bleeding. Specific and rarer complications of this operation include the formation of fibrin clots in the nasal cavity and perforation of the nasal septum.

Laser treatment

• bloodlessness;
• minimal trauma to soft tissues and cartilage;
• antiseptic effect on the soft tissues of the nose;
• stimulation of the patient's immune system;
• extremely rare postoperative complications;
• reduction of the rehabilitation period.

Laser septoplasty is performed under local anesthesia and lasts about 15 minutes. This operation can be performed in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Rehabilitation after surgery

Operation price

• degree of curvature of the nasal septum;
• type of operation;
• type of anesthesia (local or general anesthesia);
• volume of rehabilitation measures.

For example, correcting a minor congenital deformity will cost approximately thousands of rubles, and restoring the nasal septum after injury can cost 2-3 times more.

Reviews about surgical treatment

• the ability to breathe fully through the nose;
• eliminating the need to use nasal drops to restore nasal breathing;
• absence of snoring and snoring;
• disappearance of pain in the nose;
• no nasal discharge;
• lower incidence of respiratory infections, sinusitis, sinusitis, etc.;
• no scars;
• improving the appearance of the nose (especially after injuries).

Most of the above positive aspects are observed within 10 days after surgery.

Deviated nasal septum: causes, symptoms, treatment - video

Deviated nasal septum: laser septoplasty - video

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What to do if a child has a deviated nasal septum?

If the structure of the cartilage tissue is disrupted, the patient is diagnosed with a deviated nasal septum. This part is the wall between the two sinuses of the nose, which divides the cavity into the left and right parts. The structure of cartilage is made of flexible tissue covered by skin. It contains a large number of vessels that feed this part. In ideal condition, the septum is located exactly in the middle of the nasal cavity.

According to statistics, today, almost eighty percent of people have a deviated nasal septum. In most cases, it moves slightly from the center and does not cause discomfort. Most often, this pathology is observed in children. If the structure of the septum is severely damaged, it can cause breathing problems and become the root cause of chronic rhinitis. Therefore, if you notice discrepancies, it is important to know the symptoms and treatment of a deviated septum in children.

Why is the nasal septum deviated?

Irregular structure of the nasal septum is most often diagnosed in adolescents and children. This pathology causes the formation of long-term rhinitis, breathing problems, as well as copious mucous discharge. In addition, with a deviated septum, inflammatory problems arise, as well as a tendency to allergic reactions.

Jaw expansion

Deviations in the structure of the septum occur when the child begins to grow.

This process usually occurs at six years of age, when the patient's molars erupt.

Due to the expansion of the jaw, the nasal cavity changes. This process becomes the main cause of deviated nasal septum in children.

Congenital etiology

Among the most common causes is a congenital predisposition, when, while in the mother’s belly, the formation of the child’s nose occurs incorrectly. The same reason includes various damages during birth.

Traumatization

The most common cause is trauma to the nose. The structure inside the nose can be damaged by a strong blow to one part of the cavity, as well as active games or a serious passion for various martial arts.

Other reasons

Other common causes include the following symptoms:

1. The nasal septum can change if there is a discrepancy in the growth of the skull bones and a rapid increase in cartilage tissue in the nasal cavity.
2. Due to pressure inside the nasal cavity due to the penetration of a foreign object or the formation of a tumor or polyp, the septum is the first to be affected.
3. With infectious inflammation, thickening occurs in the nasal part, which leads to modification of the cartilage.

During the anatomical change, the patient notices that one cavity becomes much wider than the other. This modification leads to many symptoms. If the curvature of the septum is not serious, then the process is not considered a serious pathology.

Symptoms

With the correct structure of the nasal cavity, air flows evenly and penetrates through both parts. As you inhale, oxygen is moistened, warmed, and filtered before entering the sinuses.

When the septum is deviated, the inhaled air leads to irritation of the mucous membrane, which leads to various processes in the paranasal sinuses and the Eustachian tube.

Among the main signs of a deviated septum is loss of smell. With the slow development of the deviation, this dysfunction manifests itself slowly, so the patient does not always notice such a symptom immediately.

In addition, breathing problems occur and constant nasal congestion occurs.

In some cases, a deviated septum causes long-term rhinitis or acute sinusitis. As a result, the patient experiences headaches, stuffy ears, sore throat, and bleeding.

Pathology in the structure of the nose always causes swelling in the mucous membrane and other inflammations associated with the functions of the respiratory organ. Often, a violation in the structure of the septum causes seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Other symptoms include:

• blockage of the right or left nostril;
• nasal congestion, but only from one cavity;
• frequent and unexpected nosebleeds;
• dry mucous membrane;
• facial pain;
• noisy breathing;
• headache;
• snore;
• sleeping on one side;
• frequent viral or infectious inflammations;
• swelling of tissues in the nasal cavity;
• airflow obstruction.

However, at the initial stage of curvature, the patient may not notice symptoms. Therefore, with a deviated septum, the patient may not be aware of his pathology. People with a noticeable curvature are at risk for acute sinusitis, frequent bleeding, and other problems. They can only be eliminated through surgery.

Treatment methods

When wondering what to do if a child has a deviated nasal septum, the first thing you need to do is get diagnosed. You can identify obvious symptoms without the help of a doctor, but to conduct a comprehensive examination, contact an ENT specialist.

In certain cases, a deviated nasal septum can be treated with medication. Drops and nasal sprays will help eliminate tissue swelling and restore air flow. To restore nasal function completely, it is necessary to rinse the nose, as well as take decongestant medications.

It is worth noting that drug treatment can be justified and effective only in the case of a non-serious pathology. If the patient has a noticeable curvature, doctors prescribe surgery.

During the operation, the patient straightens the cartilage and bones in the nasal cavity. This therapy is carried out under local anesthesia and only after taking certain medications.

Plastic surgery of the nasal septum

To restore the septum, the patient can choose plastic surgery. In this case, surgery is performed through the patient's nostrils. The advantage of plastic surgery is the absence of scars and adhesions on the outer part of the nose, as well as absolute painlessness.

The entire procedure takes about one hour. After the operation, nasal breathing is restored within eight weeks.

During the rehabilitation period, the patient must use antiseptics and antibacterial drugs, as well as adhere to the medication course prescribed by the doctor.

During recovery, the patient needs to visit the doctor twice a month. This is necessary to prevent the formation of adhesions and disruption of tissue fusion.

If the curvature appears in a child, you should wait until he is eighteen years old. Until this age, the child continues to grow and surgery may disrupt the natural growth of the nose.

Septoplasty

In certain cases, the patient may choose reconstructive plastic surgery. When choosing septoplasty, the abnormal structure of the nasal septum is corrected.

The procedure takes place through the nostrils, but in extremely difficult situations, doctors can perform an open operation.

When choosing septoplasty, you need to be aware of the formation of scars, scars and adhesions. However, the main goal of the operation is to quickly restore breathing.

The rehabilitation period lasts up to seven days. After the operation, swelling of the face, bleeding, negative reactions to medications and pain in the nasal cavity are noted. They usually go away on the fifth day.

In the first month after surgery, the patient experiences headaches, swelling, bleeding, and often bursting vessels in the nasal cavity. Complete recovery occurs within two months.

Prevention

Unfortunately, it is impossible to prevent a deviated nasal septum. But you can protect yourself by avoiding any harm. To do this, when playing active games or participating in contact sports, wear protective helmets and be extremely careful.

Directory of main ENT diseases and their treatment

All information on the site is for informational purposes only and does not claim to be absolutely accurate from a medical point of view. Treatment must be carried out by a qualified doctor. By self-medicating you can harm yourself!

The septum may suffer due to any facial injury. Children, especially at school age, are susceptible to accidents: a ball hit in the face, a fight with a peer, falling from a bicycle and other accidents can become the basis for this pathological phenomenon. Another reason may be anomalies in the growth process of the nasal skeleton. If the bones grow unevenly for some reason, the septum may suffer.

Symptoms

• A young patient may experience a feeling of nasal congestion. This condition may not go away for a long time or may occur periodically. The nose can be stuffy on one side or alternately.
• Mucus secretion is released from the nose.
• Mucus from the nose flows into the larynx.
• Ears are often blocked. When swallowing it goes into the ears.
• A feeling of dryness in the mouth develops.
• Poor sleep, snoring.
• Frequent migraine pain.
• The baby is prone to frequent colds.
• There is blood coming from the nose.

Diagnosis of a deviated nasal septum in a child

• First of all, the doctor examines the child, checking with him and his parents about the details of the course of the disease. The specialist needs to know what specific symptoms are present in this case, whether there have been cases of injury, whether there is nasal congestion, and whether the patient uses nasal drops.
• After a general examination, the doctor performs a rhinoscopy. The study is carried out using a special mirror. During the examination, the doctor clarifies the degree of curvature and the condition of the nasal passages.
• Endoscopic examination. Using a device called an endoscope, a specialist assesses the condition of the mucosa. Before such an examination, the doctor instills a vasoconstrictor medication into the patient’s nose.
• Rhinomanometric examination is a method of measuring the strength of air flow in the nose. The technique is applicable not only for diagnosis but also for assessing the result after therapy.

Complications

• The most dangerous complication of this disease is the development of hypoxia. Oxygen cannot pass and circulate freely through the nose, resulting in oxygen starvation, which negatively affects all body systems.
• Along with the progression of the disease, a number of inflammatory processes develop. The ears and paranasal sinuses may suffer, sinusitis and other diseases may develop.
• Every runny nose that begins turns into a serious inflammatory process and has a long and difficult course.
• A deformed septum leads to serious rhinitis. A pathological process develops in the nasal turbinates, the vessels lose their functions. This condition can develop into an allergic rhinitis or hypertrophic rhinitis, as a result of which the nasal turbinates become excessively deep.
• The general malaise that a child constantly experiences negatively affects his psychological state. The baby is forced to constantly blow his nose, often breathes through his mouth, and regularly uses nasal drops. As a result, social adaptation may be impaired, as well as self-confidence. Neuroses and unstable mental states may occur.
• The patient develops snoring during sleep. Prolonged snoring can lead to respiratory arrest and pathologies of the cardiac system. Typically, such children feel lethargic and easily tired during the day. They find it difficult to concentrate and do poorly in school.
• Since a small patient is forced to breathe frequently through the mouth, this can lead to frequent exposure to viruses and infections resulting from airborne infection. Children suffer from constant inflammation of the tonsils, the development of laryngitis, tracheitis and problems with pathological processes in the lower respiratory tract.
• The formation of facial bones may also undergo changes. As a result of pathology, pathological occlusion of varying degrees may develop.

Treatment

What can you do

Parents of a sick child should not delay seeking help. It is better to correct a septal defect as soon as possible so that the symptoms of the pathology do not lead to even bigger problems.

What does a doctor do

• A small patient may be scheduled for sphetoplasty. This manipulation is a surgical correction of the nasal septum according to the indicators and observed symptoms.
• The surgery is performed under general anesthesia inside the nose; no incisions are made on the outside. The shape of the patient's nose will not change after surgery. There are no hematomas left after the manipulation.
• During the operation, the doctor removes the deviated sections of the septum. If they can be straightened, the doctor does this with special tools, armed with an endoscope and a microscope.

Prevention

Parents need to remember how sometimes minor injuries can create major health problems. So you should protect your child from injury and teach your child the basics of safety during outdoor games and sports. If your baby's face is bruised, you should immediately see a doctor. It is better to be safe than to miss the occurrence of pathology.

Articles on the topic

Arm yourself with knowledge and read a useful informative article about the disease deviated nasal septum in children. After all, being parents means studying everything that will help maintain the degree of health in the family at around “36.6”.

Find out what can cause the disease and how to recognize it in a timely manner. Find information about the signs that can help you identify illness. And what tests will help identify the disease and make a correct diagnosis.

In the article you will read everything about treatment methods for such a disease as a deviated nasal septum in children. Find out what effective first aid should be. How to treat: choose medications or traditional methods?

You will also learn how untimely treatment of a deviated nasal septum in children can be dangerous, and why it is so important to avoid consequences. All about how to prevent a deviated nasal septum in children and prevent complications.

And caring parents will find on the service pages complete information about the symptoms of deviated nasal septum in children. How do the signs of the disease in children aged 1, 2 and 3 years differ from the manifestations of the disease in children aged 4, 5, 6 and 7 years? What is the best way to treat deviated nasal septum in children?

Take care of the health of your loved ones and stay in good shape!

Content

A person who wages an endless struggle with rhinitis, suffers from colds or flu several times a year, suffers from insomnia and loss of smell, may not realize that the problem is not only in the immune system and nervous system. A deviated nasal septum is a diagnosis that is rarely made, but is present in the majority, although predominantly severe forms require urgent correction: thorn, ridge. Is treatment possible without surgery and why is this problem dangerous?

What is a deviated nasal septum?

A central, flat, thin plate that divides the air flow into equal parts, due to which it is processed and delivered harmoniously - this is the nasal septum, consisting of cartilage and bone tissue. If the air begins to flow unevenly, the doctor may say that there is a displacement of the nasal septum (its cartilaginous sections), or its deformation in the form of a spike or ridge in the bone area. Curvature occurs in 95% of people, but with varying degrees of severity, so you may not know about it until the end of your life.

Symptoms

A deviated nasal septum can make itself felt both externally and through internal changes in the body. If there is deformation of the cartilaginous tissues close to the front, or at the top of the bridge of the nose (bone section), it will be visible due to the loss of symmetry of the nose. Internal curvature is mainly expressed in:

• frequent nosebleeds caused by thinning of the mucous membranes in the narrowed nostril;
• difficulties with nasal breathing (feeling that air is not coming in at all);
• snoring if a person sleeps on his back;
• frequent overwork (due to hypoxia due to difficulty in nasal breathing);
• decreased immunity, which entails acute respiratory infections, influenza, and other difficult to tolerate diseases;
• chronic diseases of the ENT organs (mostly doctors focus on the appearance of chronic rhinitis in patients with a deviated septum).

Why is a deviated nasal septum dangerous?

If timely and complete air purification does not occur, a sufficient amount of oxygen does not enter the blood and brain, immunity and brain activity gradually decrease, and blood vessels suffer. Subsequently, a deviated septum leads to inflammation of the mucous membrane and chronic hypoxia, which can cause constant headaches and can cause male impotence.

Symptoms of the disease gradually develop into chronic disorders, and the result is:

• nasal polyps;
• problems with olfactory function;
• hearing impairment;
• the occurrence of allergic rhinitis.

Types of curvatures

There are 2 classifications of deformation of the nasal septum - according to the prerequisites for its appearance and according to the type that the plate takes. Curvatures of the front opener are predominantly observed, and even if there is a defect in the rear, its edge remains smooth. The classification of deviated septum most commonly used by doctors is as follows:

• Thorn– the appearance of a process from bone tissue, can be unilateral or bilateral. Depending on the length and direction, it can provoke irritation of the mucous membrane of the opposite wall and injure it.
• Crest– local thickening of the nasal septum at the point of bending, associated with its deformation, can also injure the membrane of the nasal cavity, pushing into it.
• Classic deviated nasal plate– C-shaped deformation, in which a slight deflection appears mainly in the central part. Such minor curvatures are very common, but a person is not always aware of their existence, since they may not manifest themselves in any way.
• Combination of all 3 types- the most difficult variant of curvature, since it is not only responsible for breathing difficulties, but often its complete absence (if the deformation is bilateral, there is a displacement of the anterior and middle sections).

Causes of a deviated nasal septum

Doctors divide the entire list of prerequisites for deformation of the nasal septum into 3 categories:

• Traumatic. Caused by blows to the facial area of ​​the skull, this cause is predominantly found in males. Even with minor injuries, a bent nose is possible if the fusion of broken bones and cartilage tissue does not occur correctly.
• Compensatory. They are a consequence of pathologies of the nasal cavities, including polyps, tumors and even persistent rhinitis, due to which a person, unnoticed by himself, due to congestion in one of the nasal passages, learns to breathe only freely and thereby provokes a curvature of the septum. Separately, there is compensatory hypertrophy, in which one of the nasal conchas, due to its increased size, puts pressure on the septum and can displace it. In compensatory curvatures, cause and effect often change: even a doctor cannot always say what occurred first - deformation of the plate or breathing problems due to an increase in bone formations that divide the nasal cavity into zones.
• Physiological. Associated with congenital structural features of the skull - mainly uneven development of its bones. In rare cases, such a physiological curvature of the septum is observed, such as the development of a rudiment behind the olfactory zone, pressing on the nasal dividing plate. This deviation is rare.

In a child

The nasal septum in children under 10 years of age is predominantly a cartilaginous plate: more flexible than bone, and more vulnerable. Doctors mention cartilage fractures in children more often than in adults, and this often becomes the cause of septal deformation. If you do not pay attention to the disruption of proper breathing after an injury in time, the plate will ossify over time (as the child gets older), and the curvature will no longer be as easy to straighten as in childhood.

However, there are several more prerequisites for this problem in children:

• birth injuries;
• uneven growth of the skull bones (minor curvatures, corrected independently);
• inflammation of cartilage tissue.

Diagnostics

An attempt to confirm or refute the diagnosis of a deviated septum begins with an examination of the patient by an otolaryngologist, who first evaluates the appearance of the facial part of the nose. If there are serious deformations of the nasal septum, they will be visible already at this stage. Afterwards, the breathing of each nostril is checked separately, the results are correlated: if there is no curvature of the nasal septum, the force of inhalation and exhalation is the same for the left and right sides. The last thing to do is test your sense of smell.

If suspicions that the nasal septum is deviated grow stronger, the doctor may prescribe:

• Rhinoscopy– consists of examining the nasal cavity (left and right) using a special instrument that widens the nostrils. Next, a thin probe is inserted into the lumen to palpate the mucous membrane and evaluate neoplasms (if any): these are polyps, tumors, and ulcers. Additionally, hypertrophy of the posterior ends of the turbinates can be detected when examining the curvature through the oral cavity.
• Endoscopy– a more informative examination, which should be performed with local anesthesia of the nasal mucosa. Her condition is assessed through a probe with a “video camera”. Thanks to the endoscopic method, the lower shell, where mucus accumulates, is clearly visible.
• X-ray of the skull– an image is needed to say whether there are formations in the paranasal sinuses, to confirm or refute the presence of traumatic deformation, congenital bone anomalies of the skull, which could provoke a curvature.
• Computed tomography– helps to examine in detail the back of the nasal cavity, determine the presence or absence of spines and ridges on the septum.

Treatment

A crooked nasal septum is an anatomical problem, so it is impossible to straighten the plate with medication. If, as a result of its deformations, breathing and hearing disturbances are noted, a disorder of smell develops, the middle concha is additionally enlarged, or hypertrophy of the lower one is observed, we will definitely talk about surgical interventions, mainly traditional ones - septoplasty or endoscopic surgery. In rare cases, a deviated septum can be corrected with a laser.

Treatment without surgery

Conservative therapy can be aimed at eliminating chronic inflammation, polyps, adenoids (a consequence of a deviated septum), helping to alleviate the condition of allergic diseases, restoring breathing and strengthening the immune system. However, correcting a crooked septum is impossible, so doctors question the effectiveness of such treatment. Mostly experts can advise:

• removal of adenoids, polyps;
• osteopathy (manual therapy);
• long course of drugs to eliminate swelling.

Operation

The doctor may recommend surgical correction of the curvature in case of serious deviations in the development of the cranial bones, which provoke a large number of complications: among them, concha hypertrophy, persistent sinusitis, and the inability to breathe through a narrowed nostril. Surgery is performed only on persons over 16 years of age (exceptions are possible). Resection of the nasal concha can be performed with an endoscope, which is less painful. In case of severe injuries, rhinoplasty is performed simultaneously with classical surgery.

Laser chondroseptoplasty

Classic septoplasty is performed only in cases of severe forms of curvature, and for minor deformities the doctor may suggest laser treatment. This method is used only if it is necessary to straighten the cartilage tissue - the laser will not perform resection of spines and correct the bending of bone tissue, nor will it help with traumatic curvature. According to reviews, the procedure is painless, but it is not recommended for children and elderly people.

Rehabilitation after surgery

If it was necessary to perform surgical correction of a curved nasal plate, after it tampons are inserted into the patient’s nostrils, and silicone retainers must be installed. The next day they are removed, if there is no heavy bleeding, the patient returns home, but he may remain in the hospital for 4 days. However, completely normal breathing is restored only 3 weeks after straightening the septum. During rehabilitation you need:

• during the first week, have your nasal passages cleaned daily by an ENT doctor to remove crusts and prevent the appearance of pathogenic microorganisms;
• do breathing exercises that will prevent adhesions from forming;
• use wound healing agents for external use (they must be prescribed by a doctor).

Possible complications after surgery

According to doctors, septoplasty is relatively safe (even from an aesthetic point of view - photos of people who have undergone it prove that there are no scars): blood loss is minimal and trauma is also minimal. However, any operation is accompanied by risk, so after septoplasty you may:

• ulcers and hematomas form;
• prolonged nosebleeds appear during the rehabilitation period;
• fusion of cavities and narrowing of the lower passage are observed;
• develop purulent sinusitis, perichondritis.

Treatment at home

If the nasal septum is not so curved that the doctor insists on surgery (resection of the ridges, removal of spines, correction of the consequences of the fracture is not required), but causes problems, you can independently do procedures to make breathing easier and expel mucus, but this will only relieve symptoms. Home therapy may include:

• Corticosteroids.
• Silver preparations.
• Antiseptics.
• Compositions for rinsing the nasal passages (combat a common symptom of a crooked septum - rhinitis).

Prevention

You can protect yourself from deformation of the central nasal plate only if it is initially smooth or the curvature is slight. For this it is recommended:

• avoid activities that are accompanied by fractures of the skull bones (traumatic sports, etc.);
• do not allow ENT diseases to develop into polyps and adenoids;
• strengthen the immune system.

Video

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give treatment recommendations based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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Why is a deviated nasal septum dangerous? Causes, treatment and rehabilitation