Perforation of Nasal Septum: Etiology and Diagnosis

Summary

Introduction: The nasal septum perforation is an occasional finding of rhinoscopy and most patients are asymptomatic. However, there are several possible etiologies of this condition, making necessary a thorough investigation.

Objective: To review the literature the main causes of septal perforation and describe the diagnostic tests currently used. Method: A systematic literature review of journals indexed identifiable until December 2008.

Final Comments: The main causes are the traumatic / iatrogenic nasal drug use, exposure to toxic gases, inflammatory and infectious diseases and neoplasms. The diagnosis is based on detailed medical history, focusing on occupation and origin of the patient, observation of the characteristics of mucosal injury on biopsy and collection of additional tests such as ANCA, guided by the main suspect.

Resumo

Introdução: A perfuração do septo nasal é um achado ocasional da rinoscopia anterior e a maioria dos pacientes são assintomáticos. Contudo, são várias as etiologias possíveis dessa afecção, fazendo-se necessária uma investigação criteriosa.

Objetivo: Revisar na literatura as principais causas da perfuração septal e descrever os exames diagnósticos atualmente utilizados.

Método: Revisão sistemática da literatura de periódicos indexados identificáveis até dezembro de 2008.

Comentários Finais: Entre as principais causas, encontram-se as traumáticas/iatrogênicas, o uso de drogas nasais, a exposição a gazes tóxicos, as doenças inflamatórias e infecciosas e as neoplasias. O diagnóstico se baseia na anamnese detalhada, com enfoque na ocupação e procedência do paciente, na observação das características mucosas da lesão, na biópsia e na coleta de exames complementares, como o ANCA, guiada pelas suspeitas principais.

Keywords

nasal septum - diagnosis - granuloma

Palavras-chave

septo nasal - diagnóstico - granuloma

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