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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffDuring a physical exam, your doctor will ask about your symptoms — such as nosebleeds or nasal congestion — and ask whether you've had any trauma to your nose.
Using a bright light and an instrument (nasal speculum) designed to spread open your nostrils, your doctor will examine the inside of your nose. Based on this exam, he or she should be able to diagnose deviated septum and determine the seriousness of your condition.
If treatment is necessary, your doctor may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist).
- Chandra RK, et al. Diagnosis of nasal airway obstruction. The Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2009;42:207.
- Fact sheet: Deviated septum. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/deviatedSeptum.cfm. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Fettman N, et al. Surgical management of the deviated septum: Techniques in septoplasty. The Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2009;42:241.
- Nose surgery. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/noseSurgery.cfm. Accessed April 26, 2009.
- Ferguson BJ. Septoplasty and turbinate reduction. American Rhinologic Society. http://www.american-rhinologic.org/patientinfo.septoplasty.phtml. Accessed April 25, 2009.
- Higuera S, et al. Nasal trauma and the deviated nose. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2007;120(suppl 2):64
- Nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch089/ch089c.html. Accessed April 26, 2009.
- Septal deviation and perforation. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch091/ch091f.html. Accessed April 26, 2009.
