Bruise or bleeding in the septum of the nose?

• A. Nasal fracture
• B. Septal hematoma
• C. Epistaxis
• D. Nasal polyps

Answer: (B)

Septal hematoma is the correct concept. It’s a collection of blood between the septal cartilage and its mucosa after nasal trauma, causing localized swelling or a bluish bulge in the front of the septum. This can block the nasal passage and is an emergency because the pressure from the hematoma can cut off blood supply to the cartilage, risking cartilage necrosis and a saddle-nose deformity if not drained promptly. Management requires urgent ENT evaluation with drainage of the hematoma, nasal packing as needed, and antibiotics to prevent infection. The other options describe different issues: a nasal fracture is a bone break, epistaxis is a nosebleed from mucosa, and nasal polyps are chronic growths—none describe a bruise or localized bleeding within the septum itself.