A new cocaine abuse complex. Involvement of nose, septum, palate, and pharynx

Abstract

A new complex of findings caused by cocaine abuse is presented. The complex consists of nasal collapse, septal perforation, palatal retraction, and pharyngeal wall ulceration. The findings and their causes are described. Pathologic evaluation to ensure that a concomitant disease, such as Wegener's granuloma, malignant reticulosis, autoimmune lesion, or various other destructive diseases, was not present was performed on only one patient. Although three patients presented with the findings caused by cocaine abuse, only one patient consented to the biopsy examinations. This case is presented in detail.