The nasal septum is part of the organ of smell, performing a number of important functions. Under the influence of various adverse factors, a bone ridge may form on it. In this case, the nasal septum ceases to function normally, and therefore the risk of developing life-threatening and health-threatening conditions increases. Treatment of the pathology is only operational, depending on the severity of the disease, both standard and modern minimally invasive techniques can be used.
Nasal septum: structure, functions
This part of the olfactory organ externally resembles a kind of plate. It divides the nasal cavity into two equal zones. The septum is represented by bone and cartilage, it is covered with a mucous membrane.
For the human body, nasal breathing is the most physiological. Air entering the organ of smell forms an arc convex upward. However, most of the smallest foreign particles remain in the front of the nose. Further, the air rushes to the partition. There its temperature rises and its humidity indicator. In addition, there is a neutralization of pathogens received from the outside. Thus, this part of the nose helps to warm the air, thereby reducing the risk of developing various respiratory diseases.
Under the influence of adverse factors, the nasal septum may be deformed. There are several types of curvature. One of the most common is the bone crest of the nasal septum. This is a pathological condition characterized by horizontal curvature elongated. Outwardly, it resembles a comb. The main place of its localization is the bone part of the plate, sometimes it affects the cartilage tissue.
Reasons for the formation
The nasal septum crest (photo is presented in the article) can form against the background of the following diseases and conditions:
- Improper skull development. If bone growth does not occur evenly, the nasal cavity also forms abnormally. At the same time, its size is reduced. Due to this, the partition becomes insufficient space and it begins to bend.
- Injuries. The result of a strong blow is the displacement of the bones and septum. If untimely contact a traumatologist, improper tissue splicing will occur. Against the background of this condition, a crest of the nasal septum may form.
- Polyps and tumors of both malignant and benign nature. Against the background of the development of neoplasms, there is a violation of the respiratory process in the affected nasal passage. Over time, the septum also begins to bend.
- Hypertrophy. This is a pathological condition characterized by the uneven development of one of the nasal concha. Against the background of hypertrophy, the plate experiences high pressure. As a result, a crest of the nasal septum may occur.
- Catarrhal inflammatory process (e.g., vasomotor and chronic rhinitis).
- Pathologies of the nose, accompanied by the allocation and accumulation of purulent secretion.
In order to choose a method of treatment, the doctor must know for what reasons the crest of the nasal septum began to form.
Symptoms
The main signs of pathology are the following conditions:
- Frequent episodes of a runny nose. The patient's breathing is regularly impaired and mucous secretion is released.
- Outwardly, the shape of the nose has become asymmetrical. Sudden changes occur after injuries.
- Regular headache. This condition occurs reflexively due to the fact that the growing crest of the nasal septum touches or even squeezes the mucous membrane of the olfactory organ.
- Snoring during a night's rest.
- Nosebleeds. The mucous membrane is penetrated by many vessels. Against the background of its thinning as a result of pressure, the integrity of the capillaries is violated.
- Decrease in working capacity, rapid onset of fatigue. This occurs against the background of hypoxia - a condition in which an insufficient amount of air enters the body.
- Discomfort during breathing through the nose.
- Frequent episodes of respiratory diseases, accompanied by a runny nose, cough, fever, sneezing.
- Sore throat, tickle.
- Hearing impairment. Against the background of progression of curvature (the crest of the nasal septum), inflammatory processes develop in the ears.
- Deterioration of smell. It becomes difficult for the patient to recognize odors.
- Impaired memory.
- Decreased concentration.
If one or more of the above alarming signs occurs, you should contact your ENT specialist.
Diagnostics
At the appointment with the ENT doctor, the patient must be provided with information regarding what complaints he is worried about and how long they have appeared, whether there have been injuries to the face (in particular the nose) in the past, or whether he uses vasoconstrictor drops in the nose.
After collecting an anamnesis, the specialist needs to examine the patient to assess external curvature.
Based on the results of the initial diagnosis, the doctor may additionally prescribe one or more instrumental studies. The following methods are used to detect the nasal septum crest:
- Front rhinoscopy. The essence of the method is as follows: the doctor enters the closed expander into the passage, after which it slowly begins to push apart the parts of the instrument. In this case, the patient should slightly raise his head. Pressure is not exerted on the nasal septum, as this is fraught with the occurrence of bleeding. First of all, the doctor examines and evaluates the condition of the lower parts of the organ of smell. Then the patient is invited to lay his head back so that the specialist can visualize the rest of the nose and septum.
- Back rhinoscopy. The method involves examination of the organ from the nasopharynx. Its essence is as follows: the doctor with the help of a special spatula presses on the tongue, due to which the patient reflexively stops breathing with his mouth, and inserts a small mirror into it. The specialist ensures that the instrument does not come into contact with the mucous membrane, since contact with the posterior wall of the pharynx and the sky can provoke vomiting and interfere with the study.
- Rhinomanometry. The method allows you to assess the degree of nasal patency. The result of the study is the resistance coefficient - the number obtained in the process of the ratio of the difference in pressure and air flow rate. Based on rhinomanometry data, the doctor can judge the degree of respiratory failure.
After analyzing the results of diagnostic measures, the otorhinolaryngologist selects the most suitable operational method for removing the nasal septum crest. There are no conservative methods for treating bone formation, alternative medicine in such cases is also powerless.
Minimally invasive method - laser thermoplastics
Most patients go to the doctor only when the deformation (crest of the nasal septum) has reached its maximum degree. In such cases, a full-fledged operation is indicated.
If the curvature is at the initial stage of development, while cartilage is more involved in the pathological process, laser thermoplasty can be performed. This is a less traumatic method of treatment, which is carried out under local anesthesia. Its essence is as follows: the doctor sends a laser beam to a pathologically altered part of the cartilage tissue, the cells of which begin to evaporate.
The operation is not accompanied by bleeding, its duration is only a few minutes. At the end of the laser thermoplasty procedure, a patient is inserted into the nose with a tampon to fix the cartilage tissue. Immediately after this, a person can begin his daily activities. The swab should be removed the next day.
It is important to understand that the appointment of laser thermoplastics is advisable only if cartilage tissue is involved in the pathological process and the degree of deformation is small. The power of the beam is not enough to remove the mutated bone. In this case, a full operation is indicated.
Septoplasty
This term refers to the surgical rectification of the septum and the removal of the formed crest. At the same time, both the bone and cartilage bases are preserved.
Before removing the crest of the nasal septum in this way, the doctor should identify or rule out the presence of contraindications in the patient. Septoplasty is not performed for the following diseases and conditions:
- Diabetes.
- Blood coagulation disorders.
- Malignant neoplasms.
- Infectious diseases.
- The presence of any pathology in an acute form.
In addition, the contraindication for septoplasty is advanced age. This is due to the fact that in this category of patients the risk of all sorts of complications increases significantly.
Preparation for surgery:
- A week before the intervention, refuse to take any anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs, against the background of which blood thinning occurs.
- During the same time, it is necessary to pass a general blood test and obtain the permission of a cardiologist to conduct the operation.
- In women, the intervention is performed at least 7 days after the completion of menstruation.
On the crest of the nasal septum, the operation is performed according to the following algorithm:
- The patient is placed on the couch. Then he is given anesthesia. The operation is performed under general anesthesia.
- Using a surgical instrument, the doctor exposes the lower part of the nasal septum.
- The specialist performs a resection of the ridge. At this stage, it is important to prevent excessive thinning of the septum, otherwise this part of the nose will not be able to perform a supporting function. If the patient turned to a medical institution that has a good reputation and a staff of highly qualified specialists, the occurrence of this error is excluded.
- The doctor holds a tamponade. With its help, the septum is fixed in the physiological position. In addition, the use of tamponade minimizes the risk of hematomas and adhesions.
The result of the operation is a direct septum. In this case, the patient disappears unpleasant symptoms. The duration of the surgical intervention is from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours. Judging by the reviews, the operation on the crest of the nasal septum is well tolerated by most patients.
Rhinoseptoplasty
This term refers to a complex of surgical measures, the purpose of which is to eliminate deformation and restore the normal form of the organ of smell.
The following conditions are indications for removal of the ridge of the nasal septum:
- Congenital distortion.
- Pronounced asymmetry of the parts of the nose.
- Perforation in the plate, resulting from injuries or inflammatory processes that occur with the formation of granulomas.
The operation is not performed for persons with pathologies of the upper respiratory tract in the acute stage; oncological diseases; bleeding disorders.
Rhinoseptoplasty can be functional and reconstructive. In the first case, the patient is restored to normal nasal breathing, in the second, the shape of the olfactory organ is further adjusted. The choice of methodology is carried out by the doctor, based on the history and the results of instrumental studies.
The operation can be carried out both under local and general anesthesia. When choosing anesthesia, the doctor takes into account the degree of deformation.
Functional rhinoseptoplasty is carried out, as a rule, in a closed way. This means that the surgery is carried out almost blindly, but at the same time, cuts and, accordingly, scars can be avoided. The open method allows you to control the process and perform resection of even a large number of pathological tissue, while maintaining the main function of the septum.
The duration of the intervention is approximately 1 hour. According to reviews, the operation on the crest of the nasal septum is well tolerated. But at the same time, the healing process is very painful.
Recovery period
After surgery to remove the nasal septum crest, conservative treatment is not required. To quickly heal and minimize the risk of complications, it is enough to follow some recommendations:
- In the first 3 days after surgery, it is forbidden to consume hot drinks and foods heated to high temperatures.
- Tampons must be changed immediately after they are completely saturated with blood.
- Avoid staying in places with high air temperature (such premises include, for example, baths and saunas).
- Wet cleaning is required at home twice a day.
- The room where the patient constantly resides should be regularly ventilated.
- It is forbidden to contact with infectious patients. It is recommended to avoid large crowds, especially at the peak of the common cold.
- After 2 months, you must visit the ENT specialist.
Features of the recovery period:
- After surgery, the patient is in the hospital for 3 days under the supervision of a doctor. If complications do not develop, the person is discharged.
- In the first 3 days, pronounced nasal congestion is noted, which is due to the presence of edema of the mucous membrane. In addition, minor bleeding may occur periodically. These conditions are normal and do not require immediate medical attention.
- The sense of smell after surgery is restored after about 1 month.
- If the surgical intervention was carried out in a closed way, the aesthetic appearance of the olfactory organ is restored after 2 weeks, open - after 1-1.5 months.
If not treated?
Deformation not only worsens the appearance, but also contributes to the development of pathologies dangerous to health and even life.
The following conditions and diseases may occur due to the crest of the nasal septum:
- Against the background of curvature, the process of normal breathing is disrupted. This leads to inflammation of the auditory tube, otitis media, sinusitis. Each runny nose is lingering, often complications arise.
- Against the background of deformity, vasomotor rhinitis progresses, which can go into a hypertrophic form.
- Due to an insufficient amount of oxygen, diseases of the cardiovascular system develop in the first place.
- At night, episodes of apnea may occur. These are short-term respiratory arrests, which also entail the occurrence of dangerous diseases.
- Both the upper and lower respiratory tract become inflamed.
In addition to the deterioration of overall well-being, the patient has bad breath, which significantly reduces the quality of life.
Finally
The nasal septum crest is a type of deformation of the plate dividing the cavity of the organ of smell in two equal parts. Curvature leads not only to all kinds of diseases, but also to a deterioration in the appearance of a person. Treatment of pathology is carried out only by operational methods. The choice of method depends on the degree of deformation.