Arquivos Internacionais de Otorrinolaringologia 2010; 14(04): 467-471
DOI: 10.1590/S1809-48722010000400015
Review Article
Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Perforation of Nasal Septum: Etiology and Diagnosis

Perfuração do Septo Nasal: Etiologia e Diagnóstico
Marco Aurélio Fornazieri
*   ENT.
,
Jemima Herrero Moreira
**   Fellowship in Endonasal Endoscopic Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery. ENT.
,
Renata Pilan
***   Endonasal Endoscopic Surgery Fellowship in the Division of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology, HC / FMUSP. Otolaryngologists.
,
Richard Louis Voegels
****   Associate Professor, Division of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo.
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

13 May 2009

10 August 2009

Publication Date:
12 February 2014 (online)

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.

 
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