Illustration of nasal septum with varying degrees of deviation.

Breathe Easy: A New System to Grade and Correct Septal Deviations

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how a new septal deformity grading system can help improve diagnosis and treatment for nasal obstruction, leading to better breathing and quality of life."

Do you often find yourself struggling to breathe through your nose? Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) is a widespread issue, affecting countless individuals and placing a significant burden on healthcare systems. While many seek solutions to alleviate this discomfort, pinpointing the exact cause and severity of nasal obstruction remains a challenge.

One of the most common culprits behind NAO is a deviated septum—a displacement of the cartilage and bone that divides your nasal passages. A significant deviation can restrict airflow, leading to breathing difficulties, sinus congestion, and a diminished quality of life. For years, doctors have relied on subjective evaluations and limited objective measures to diagnose and treat septal deviations.

Now, researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed and validated a new Septal Deformity Grading (SDG) system. This innovative approach promises to provide a more standardized and objective way to assess septal deviations, ultimately leading to more effective treatment plans and improved outcomes for patients.

What is the Septal Deformity Grading (SDG) System?

Illustration of nasal septum with varying degrees of deviation.

The SDG system is designed to provide a clear and consistent method for evaluating the severity and location of septal deviations. Unlike previous methods that relied heavily on subjective assessments, the SDG system uses a structured approach to examine key anatomical landmarks within the nasal cavity.

The system focuses on seven specific regions of the nasal septum, each known to be commonly affected by deviations. These landmarks include:

Spur
Caudal Deviation
Dorsal Curvature (Mid Vault - C Shape)
Dorsal Deviation off Angle
PP-Vomer- QC Junction
PSA (Posterior Septal Angle)
ASA (Anterior Septal Angle)

Each of these seven regions is assessed for the degree of deviation, using a four-point scale ranging from 0 to 3, where:

0 = No deviation
1 = Mild deviation, possibly not requiring treatment
2 = Intermediate deviation
3 = Significant deviation, touching the nasal turbinate

This detailed grading system allows doctors to create a comprehensive profile of each patient's septal deviation, leading to more tailored treatment strategies.

The Future of Breathing Easier

The development and validation of the SDG system represents a significant step forward in the diagnosis and management of nasal obstruction. By providing a more objective and standardized method for assessing septal deviations, this system has the potential to improve treatment outcomes, reduce the need for revision surgeries, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for individuals struggling with breathing difficulties. While further research and evaluation are needed, the SDG system offers a promising tool for doctors and patients alike in the quest for easier breathing.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1002/lary.27365, Alternate LINK

Title: Validation Of A Septoplasty Deformity Grading System For The Evaluation Of Nasal Obstruction

Subject: Otorhinolaryngology

Journal: The Laryngoscope

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Jeffrey T. Gu, Sherrie Kaplan, Sheldon Greenfield, Hollin Calloway, Brian J. F. Wong

Published: 2018-11-22

Everything You Need To Know

What is the Septal Deformity Grading (SDG) system?

The Septal Deformity Grading (SDG) system is a new method developed to evaluate the severity and location of septal deviations. It moves away from subjective assessments and uses a structured approach to examine specific regions of the nasal septum. This system focuses on seven key anatomical landmarks: Spur, Caudal Deviation, Dorsal Curvature (Mid Vault - C Shape), Dorsal Deviation off Angle, PP-Vomer- QC Junction, PSA (Posterior Septal Angle), and ASA (Anterior Septal Angle).

Why is the Septal Deformity Grading (SDG) system important?

The SDG system is important because it offers a standardized and objective way to assess septal deviations. Prior methods relied heavily on subjective assessments, which could lead to inconsistencies in diagnosis and treatment. This new system uses a four-point scale (0-3) to grade the degree of deviation in seven specific regions, providing a detailed profile of each patient's condition. This enables doctors to create more tailored treatment plans, potentially improving outcomes and reducing the need for revision surgeries for Nasal Airway Obstruction (NAO).

What are the specific regions evaluated using the Septal Deformity Grading (SDG) system?

The seven specific regions of the nasal septum that are evaluated using the SDG system include: Spur, Caudal Deviation, Dorsal Curvature (Mid Vault - C Shape), Dorsal Deviation off Angle, PP-Vomer- QC Junction, PSA (Posterior Septal Angle), and ASA (Anterior Septal Angle). Each of these areas is assessed for the degree of deviation on a scale from 0 to 3. The SDG system provides a detailed profile of each patient's septal deviation, allowing for a more tailored treatment strategy.

What are the implications of using the Septal Deformity Grading (SDG) system?

The implications of using the Septal Deformity Grading (SDG) system are significant. It offers a more objective and standardized method for assessing septal deviations, leading to more effective treatment strategies. This could potentially improve treatment outcomes, reduce the need for revision surgeries, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for individuals struggling with breathing difficulties related to Nasal Airway Obstruction (NAO). It represents a significant step forward in the diagnosis and management of nasal obstruction.

How does the Septal Deformity Grading (SDG) system grade septal deviations?

The SDG system grades the septal deviations on a four-point scale: 0 = No deviation, 1 = Mild deviation (possibly not requiring treatment), 2 = Intermediate deviation, and 3 = Significant deviation (touching the nasal turbinate). Each of the seven key anatomical landmarks – Spur, Caudal Deviation, Dorsal Curvature (Mid Vault - C Shape), Dorsal Deviation off Angle, PP-Vomer- QC Junction, PSA (Posterior Septal Angle), and ASA (Anterior Septal Angle) – are assessed using this scale. This allows doctors to create a comprehensive profile of each patient's septal deviation.