Nontraumatic nasal septal abscesses in the immunocompromised: etiology, recognition, treatment, and sequelae

Proper management of a nasal septal abscess requires prompt diagnosis, adequate surgical drainage, and antibiotics to prevent the potentially dangerous spread of infection and the development of severe functional and cosmetic sequelae. Most septal abscesses are the result of trauma to the nose with septal hematoma and subsequent infection. We present our experience with nasal septal abscesses in five immunocompromised patients without history of nasal trauma. All patients were treated with surgical drainage and antibiotics. The infections in four patients resolved, whereas in the fifth, the infection led to death. We report these cases to depict alternate etiologies of nasal septal abscess, particularly in the immunocompromised patient. Our review illustrates the wide spectrum of disease presentation, provides treatment strategies, and emphasizes the potentially catastrophic sequelae of this disease when unrecognized. With the growing number of immunocompromised individuals, it is important to recognize the potential for immunocompromise to influence the development of septal abscess.