Nasal cocaine abuse and centrofacial destructive process: report of three cases including treatment

Abstract

We report 3 new cases of a centrofacial destructive process associated with chronic nasal abuse of cocaine. This complex first described in 1988 is a rare entity involving sinonasal tract necrosis after cocaine abuse. Of special interest in this report is a male patient with columella and lip involvement instead of the more usual rhinopalatal destruction. This cocaine abuse complex should be included in the differential diagnosis of centrofacial midline destructive processes in young patients as the first diagnostic possibility. We suggest a management strategy for these patients.