Abscess of the nasal septum after trauma

Although the disorder is said to be uncommon, three cases of abscess of the nasal septum, two in adults, one in a child, were seen during a period of four months. Each patient had a recent history of nasal trauma and presented with severe nasal obstruction. In each case, the septal cartilage was also found to be extensively destroyed when the abscess was drained. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in the two adult patients, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae in the child. When two of the three patients were examined a few months later, the septal cartilages appeared to have completely regenerated. In all cases of nasal trauma, the septum must be examined to exclude a haematoma or abscess which, if detected, must be treated urgently with antibiotic therapy and drainage to prevent nasal and intracranial complications.