Nasal cocaine abuse presenting as a central facial destructive granuloma. 1998

C Sittel, and H E Eckel
University of Cologne, Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Germany.

We describe a 36-year-old patient with an aggressive, midline intranasal and naso- and oropharyngeal destructive process. For months the patient denied heavy abuse of nasal cocaine, but finally admitted it. Necrosis and atrophy of the inferior and middle nasal turbinates bilaterally, prominent naso and oropharyngeal ulcers, nasal septal as well as hard palate perforation were observed clinically. Repeated biopsies revealed focal areas of chronic inflammation and necrosis, but there was no evidence of vasculitis or granuloma formation. Since serum was slightly positive for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, the initial diagnosis was Wegener's granulomatosis. In the United States there have been a few reports on a new cocaine-associated syndrome presenting as an aggressive, midline, intranasal and intrapharyngeal destructive process mimicking limited Wegener's granulomatosis and midline reticulosis. We report the first such case in Europe and offer guidelines for the diagnostic work-up of such cases.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009336 Necrosis The death of cells in an organ or tissue due to disease, injury or failure of the blood supply.
D009666 Nose A part of the upper respiratory tract. It contains the organ of SMELL. The term includes the external nose, the nasal cavity, and the PARANASAL SINUSES. External Nose,External Noses,Nose, External,Noses,Noses, External
D010159 Palate The structure that forms the roof of the mouth. It consists of the anterior hard palate (PALATE, HARD) and the posterior soft palate (PALATE, SOFT). Incisive Papilla,Incisive Papillas,Palates,Papilla, Incisive,Papillas, Incisive
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D006103 Granuloma, Lethal Midline A condition that is characterized by inflammation, ulceration, and perforation of the nose and the PALATE with progressive destruction of midline facial structures. This syndrome can be manifested in several diseases including the nasal type of EXTRANODAL NK-T-CELL LYMPHOMA and GRANULOMATOSIS WITH POLYANGIITIS. Granuloma Gangraenescens,Lethal Midline Granuloma,Polymorphic Reticulosis,Granulomas, Lethal Midline,Lethal Midline Granulomas,Midline Granuloma, Lethal,Midline Granulomas, Lethal,Polymorphic Reticuloses,Reticuloses, Polymorphic,Reticulosis, Polymorphic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001706 Biopsy Removal and pathologic examination of specimens from the living body. Biopsies
D014890 Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis A multisystemic disease of a complex genetic background. It is characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels (VASCULITIS) leading to damage in any number of organs. The common features include granulomatous inflammation of the RESPIRATORY TRACT and KIDNEYS. Most patients have measurable autoantibodies (ANTINEUTROPHIL CYTOPLASMIC ANTIBODIES) against MYELOBLASTIN. Granulomatosis, Wegener's,Wegener Granulomatosis,Wegener's Granulomatosis,Granulomatosis with Polyangiitides,Granulomatosis, Wegener,Polyangiitides, Granulomatosis with,Polyangiitis, Granulomatosis with,with Polyangiitides, Granulomatosis,with Polyangiitis, Granulomatosis

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