Curriculum · ENT, Ophthalmology, and Dermatology
Nasal septal haematoma
What it is
A nasal septal haematoma is a collection of blood under the mucoperichondrial layer or the mucoperiosteum of the nasal septal cartilage or bone: a blood collection around the nasal septal bone or cartilage, with the nasal mucosa itself intact.
Causes and risk
The etiology is trauma, and it is usually post trauma. It is also a complication of nasal septal deviation, and it is one of the surgical complications of septoplasty.
How it presents
There is obstruction of the nasal lumen with blood-filled mucosa. Inside the nose a bilateral swelling is visible, and the swellings are bilateral and purple, outpouching from the nasal septum. What tells it apart from a deviated nasal septum is the softness on touch.