The septum is the piece of cartilage and bone in the middle of the nasal cavity that separates the right nasal space from the left nasal space. In general it may not lie perfectly straight and slight bends within the septum may not cause any symptoms.

Symptoms

If the septum is significantly deviated, nasal obstruction is the main presenting symptom. Associated symptoms include a sense of pressure within the nose and sometimes nosebleeds from constant contact of airflow onto the part of the septum that is deflected.

Diagnosis

An in-office test using a fibreoptic nasendoscope to examine the nose enables the nasal septum to be examined carefully from the front of the nose to the back. The nasal cavities can also be examined for other causes of nasal obstruction like nasal polyps and even adenoid tissue that can be persistent in the post-nasal space in some adults. A CT scan of the paranasal sinuses is also useful for diagnosis.

What is a septoplasty?

A septoplasty is an operation to straighten the septum. It is indicated to improve nasal obstruction if the diagnosis of septal deviation has been established as the cause of the symptom. It may be done in conjunction with an adenoidectomy if persistent adenoid tissue has been diagnosed.