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Background: Deviated nasal septum is one of the most common anatomical abnormalities encountered in otorhinolaryngology practice and is an important cause of nasal obstruction. It may be associated with headache, epistaxis, post-nasal drip, chronic rhinosinusitis, turbinate hypertrophy, impaired nasal airflow, sleep disturbance, and reduced quality of life.
Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, clinical presentation, severity, direction of deviation, and associated nasal pathologies among patients with deviated nasal septum attending an ENT outpatient department.
Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of six months among 300 patients presenting with nasal complaints. Patients aged 15 years and above were evaluated clinically. Diagnosis of deviated nasal septum was confirmed by anterior rhinoscopy and diagnostic nasal endoscopy. Symptoms, type and direction of septal deviation, severity, history of trauma, and associated findings such as inferior turbinate hypertrophy and chronic rhinosinusitis were recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 300 patients evaluated, 168 (56.0%) were diagnosed with deviated nasal septum. Males constituted 109 (64.9%) cases and females constituted 59 (35.1%) cases. The mean age was 29.6 ± 11.2 years, and the 21–30 years age group accounted for 36.3% of DNS cases. Nasal obstruction was the most common presenting symptom, observed in 148 (88.1%) patients, followed by headache in 66 (39.3%) and epistaxis in 36 (21.4%). Right-sided DNS was most common. Moderate DNS was the most frequent severity grade. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy and chronic rhinosinusitis showed significant association with DNS. History of nasal trauma was present in 54 (32.1%) patients.
Conclusion: Deviated nasal septum is a common condition among patients presenting with nasal complaints. Nasal obstruction is the predominant symptom, while headache, epistaxis, post-nasal drip, and rhinitis may also occur. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy and chronic rhinosinusitis are common associated findings. Anterior rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopy are useful diagnostic tools. Early diagnosis and septoplasty, where indicated, can improve nasal airflow and quality of life.