title: Rare case of naso-oral fistula with extensive osteocartilaginous necrosis secondary to cocaine abuse: review of otorhinolaryngological presentations in cocaine addicts.
abstract: We report what we believe to be only the 10th case of palatal necrosis secondary to cocaine abuse in a 33-year-old female patient. Extensive necrosis also involved the cartilaginous and bony septum and paranasal sinuses. Following exclusion of other mid-line destructive diseases her treatment involved saline douches and cessation of cocaine. She remains under review within the department with no evidence of progressive disease. We present a review of the other nine cases of palatal necrosis reported in the world literature and demonstrate a greater incidence in female users. The various presenting conditions of cocaine abuse encountered within the head and neck region by the otorhinolaryngologist are then discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lancaster
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belloso
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCormick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016155:Oral Fistula / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D010159:Palate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride