Sphenopalatine ganglion deficit syndrome: An unusual complication after septoplasty

Background: In 1908 Sluder described a clinical picture of unilateral facial pain, lachrymation, rhinorrhea and mucosal congestion deriving from the Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) irritation. We described a case of monolateral xerophthalmia, dry palate and mouth, deriving from SPG lesion after septoplasty that we called “SPG Deficit Syndrome”. Methods: In our study a woman complaining functional nasal disorders and Computer Tomography (CT) images of a huge condro-vomerian septal spur in right nasal cavity, was underwent to septoplasty. After surgery she complained monolateral xerophthalmia, xerostomia and migraine. Results: We formulated hypothesis of parasympathetic postgangliar nerve transmission interruption due to a lesion of effector fibers, supported by post-operative CT images of posterior wall of maxillary sinus lesion and by endoscopic evaluation of dryness of palatal mucosa and right nasal cavity. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of this kind of symptomatology reported as complication after septoplasty.