Examination reveals nasal obstruction and fluctuation of the septum. Treatment includes incision and drainage, followed by nasal packing to prevent reaccumulation and antibiotics. If left untreated, may result in septal abscess, cartilaginous necrosis, and saddle nose deformity. Symptoms include crusting, discharge, epistaxis, whistling on inspiration. The site of the leaks can be found by intrathecal injection of various stains followed by examination of appropriately placed pledgets.
Treatment includes antibiotics, surgical closure using flaps, muscle, or fascial plugs.
Posterior inferior bleeding is often from sphenopalatine vessels, and superior bleeding is often from anterior and posterior ethmoid vessels. A familial tendency. Airway obstruction improves with crying. Unilateral atresia causes persistent nasal drainage and excoriation of the nasal vestibule. Diagnosis is made by passing a flexible catheter through the anterior nares.