Nasal septal abscess in adult patients - A single center study

• Published in: American journal of otolaryngology 2023-07, Vol.44 (4), p.103888-103888, Article 103888
• Main Authors: Ngo, Ngoc Hong, Luong, Nghia Vinh Cong, Le, Minh Tran Quang, Nguyen, Hon Minh Hao, Tran, Luan Viet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abscess - diagnosis; Abscess - etiology; Abscess - therapy; Adult; Cellulitis; Diabetes Mellitus; Drainage; Humans; Middle Aged; Nasal Obstruction - complications; Nasal packing; Nasal septal abscess; Nasal Septum; Nose-picking; Paranasal Sinus Diseases - complications; Pharyngeal Diseases - complications; Poviodine 1; Respiratory Tract Infections - complications; Retrospective Studies; Staphylococcal Infections - complications; Staphylococcal Infections - therapy; Staphylococcus aureus
• ISSN: 0196-0709; 1532-818X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.103888

The purpose of this study was to present and analyze the etiologic factors, clinical manifestations, bacteriology, and treatment outcomes of nasal septal abscess in a large cohort of adult patients. Retrospective analysis. 36 adult patients, age from 19 to 85 (mean age, 51.83), with nasal septal abscesses were treated at Ear Nose Throat Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City from January 2020 to August 2022. The most common symptoms were nasal obstruction (75 %), headache/facial pain (58.33 %). Etiologic factors were found in 83.33 % of cases with the most common were diabetes mellitus (47.22 %), nose-picking (44.44 %). 75 % of cases had positive bacterial culture, of which 70.37 % were Staphylococcus aureus. Septal abscess was successfully treated in all cases using our treatment protocol, which involved an extended modified Killian's incision, irrigation with 1 % poviodine, placement of gauze in the abscess pocket, and nasal packing with Merocels. Diabetes and nose-picking were the most common etiologic factors; Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism of nasal septal abscess in our study. Our treatment protocol is safe and effective. •Nose-picking was a common factor of septal abscess, especially in diabetes patients.•Abscess drainage with extended modified Killian’s incision, poviodine irrigation, nasal packing were the keys of treatment.•No differences in clinical symptoms, bacteriology and treatment outcomes were noted between diabetes and non diabetes groups.