Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2001 Jul;44(7):768-771.

Saddle Nose & Septal Perforation Associated with Chemotherapy in Patients with Acute Leukemia

• Kim HU
• Moon HJ
• Yang WI
• Yoon JH

Abstract

To date, no cases of nasal septal perforation during or after chemotherapy in patients with acute leukemia have been reported. In this study, we report three acute leukemia patients that had septal perforation and saddle nose deformity after chemotherapy and the results of our attempts to determine the causes of this phenomenon. We investigated retrospectively the types of chemotherapeutic agents involved and the duration of chemotherapy until the development of the nasal septal perforation. In addition, we also studied whether there were any remaining malignant cells by biopsy from the septal perforation margin. We found that Ara-C was the only drug that was used in all 3 patients. Nasal septal perforation and saddle nose developed approximately 4~7 weeks after the chemotherapy. A biopsy revealed inflammatory cells but no malignant cell infiltration. In cases of saddle nose associated with septal perforation after the chemotherapy for acute leukemia, one may consider the possibility of side effects of Ara-C. Furthermore, more active diagnosis and treatment are required when patients with acute leukemia complain of epistaxis or nasal obstruction during or after chemotherapy.

Keyword

Saddle nose; Septal perforation; Chemotherapy; Acute leukemia

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Congenital Abnormalities
Cytarabine
Diagnosis
Drug Therapy*
Epistaxis
Humans
Leukemia*
Nasal Obstruction
Nasal Septal Perforation
Nose*
Retrospective Studies
Cytarabine