Highlights
- •Nasal septal perforation prevalence on imaging in an urban population was 2.1%.
- •The high prevalence was associated with intranasal cocaine and heroin use.
- •Radiologists should report septal perforation so patients can be referred for appropriate treatment.
Abstract
Objective
To determine the prevalence of nasal septal perforation (NSP) on CT imaging in an
urban hospital setting.
Methods
Facial bone CT scans from 3708 consecutive patients were reviewed for the presence
of NSP. Size of the perforation was measured in two dimensions. Medical records were
reviewed for possible risk factors.
Results
The prevalence of NSP was 2.05%. The most common risk factor was a history of drug
abuse. Cocaine was the most prevalent drug used.
Conclusion
The prevalence of NSP was more than double of that previously published, likely related
to intranasal drug use in our urban population.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 18, 2017
Accepted:
February 17,
2017
Received in revised form:
January 31,
2017
Received:
October 2,
2016
Footnotes
☆The study was approved by our local Institutional Review Board.
☆None of the authors have any conflict of interest or disclosure to report.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
