Publication:

Clinical and surgical significance of nasal septal hematoma following maxillofacial trauma: a contemporary review

Nasal septal hematoma (NSH), a submucoperichondrial or subperiosteal collection along the nasal septum, is an uncommon but time‑critical sequel of nasal trauma. The septal cartilage is avascular and depends on the mucoperichondrium for nutrition. Separation of the mucoperichondrium by a hematoma rapidly leads to ischemia and chondrocyte necrosis. Failure to diagnose and drain can lead to various complications like septal abscess, cartilage loss with saddle‑nose deformity, septal perforation, orbital or intracranial infection, and sepsis. The objective of this review was to summarize the contemporary evidence regarding the clinical and surgical significance of nasal septal hematoma, as Maxillofacial surgeons are often the first specialists to evaluate patients with facial trauma in emergency settings.