Unmasking Nasal Septal Hematoma/Abscess: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

We aim to discuss the demographics, symptoms, bacteriology, treatment, and sequelae associated with nasal septal hematoma/nasal septal abscess (NSH/NSA).

CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus were searched from inception until October 15, 2023.

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis 2020 guidelines were followed. Inclusion criteria included patients who were diagnosed with a traumatic NSH/NSA. NSH/NSA due to surgical procedures was excluded. Demographics included N of patients, patient age, and gender. Symptoms, antibiotics given, bacteriology, and sequelae were analyzed. Meta-analysis of continuous measures (mean, median), and proportions (%) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was conducted.

Thirty studies (N = 598) were included. In total, 72.1% were males (95% CI: 67-78). The total mean age was 21.6 years (range: 0.2-85, 95% CI: 17.2-26.1). The mean time from trauma to diagnosis was 8.2 days. Common symptoms at presentation included nasal obstruction/congestion at 60.3% (95% CI: 37.1-81.4), nasal pain at 30.0% (17.2-44.6), swelling at 20.4% (8.7-35.5), headache at 15.5% (7.3-26.0), and fever at 13.9% (7.3-22.2). The most common pathogens isolated included Staphylococcus aureus at 56.5% (49.0-63.8), Streptococcus species at 8.9% (5.2-14.0), and Klebsiella pneumoniae at 6.3% (3.2-10.8). Antibiotics given included amoxicillin-clavulanate at 10.3% (4.5-18.2), metronidazole at 9.5% (1.1-24.9), ampicillin-sulbactam at 8.9% (0.4-26.5), and unspecified antibiotics at 39.7% (13.8-69.2). The most common sequelae were nasal septal deformity/cartilage destruction at 14.3% (7.7-22.6).

NSA/NSH has an 8-day delay in diagnosis from the time of trauma. First-line practitioners should be made aware of the signs and symptoms of this condition to minimize the risk of morbidity.