A case of traumatic nasal septal abscess

Abstract

Nasal septal abscesses have been rare since the development of antibiotics. However, a delay in the diagnosis and treatment, such as with surgical drainage, may cause saddle nose deformity and intracranial complications. We herein report a case of nasal pain and obstruction with severe headache in a 49-year-old woman referred to our hospital due to trauma to the nose. A rhinoscopic examination revealed significant bilateral bulging of the nasal septum. We considered her severe headache to be an intracranial complication due to acute cellulitis of the nasal septum. However, a cerebrospinal fluid examination was negative for meningitis. Based on plain computed tomography findings, we suspected nasal septal abscess. Prompt drainage was necessary, but it was delayed to the day after the admission due to the patient's need to rest following the cerebrospinal fluid examination. She recovered gradually with antibiotic therapy and was discharged 17 days after the admission.