Nose and nasal cavity disorders Flashcards
What is a septal haematoma?
Blood between the perichondrium and cartilage of the nasal septum
What causes a septal haematoma?
Trauma to the nasal septum
tears off the perichondrium from the cartilage of the nasal septum
What are the complications of a septal haematoma?
Cartilage loses its blood supply
becomes ischaemic hypoxic
avascular necrosis as a result
Infection of haematoma
abscess formation
How does avascular necrosis of the cartilage of the nasal septum present?
Saddle nose deformity
What is a nasal polyp?
Benign swelling of the nasal mucosa
What do nasal polyps look like?
Pale or yellow
May be reddened
What does a reddened unilateral polyp suggest?
Maybe tumour
Are nasal polyps usually unilateral or bilateral?
Bilateral
What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?
Nasal congestion
Watery rhinorrhea
Post-nasal drip
Decreased smell, reduced taste
What is nasal congestion?
Blockage of nasal passages
What is rhinorrhea?
Build up of mucus in the nasal cavity
What is a post-nasal drip?
Runny nose
What age group are nasal polyps more common in?
Over 40 year olds
What is rhinitis?
Inflammation of the nasal mucosa
What are the types of rhinitis? What causes each type?
Acute infective rhinitis caused by viruses
Allergic rhinitis caused by allergens
What are the symptoms of rhinitis?
Nasal congestion
Rhinorrhea
Post-nasal drip
Sneezing
Epistaxis from which artery of the nasal septum is more serious? Why?
Sphenopalatine artery
because it more posterior in the nasal septum and so can’t be blocked by pinching the external nose
What conditions can predispose to nosebleeds?
Coagulation disorders
Connective tissue disorders
How is a nosebleed managed?
Pinch external nose, learn forwards
Cauterise bleeding
Anterior packing
Posterior packing
Surgical intervention
