Nasal Septal Perforation: A Rare Extraintestinal Manifestation of Crohn's Disease

Abstract

Nasal manifestations of Crohn's disease are quite rare. They are typified by chronic mucosal inflammation, obstruction, bleeding, and occasionally septal perforation--signs and symptoms that are common to many disease states of the nose. Nasal findings, much like oral lesions, can precede the more typical gastroenterologic manifestations of Crohn's disease. Otolaryngologists should be aware of such an association and consider the diagnosis of Crohn's disease in atypical cases of nasal disease. We report the case of a 12-year-old boy who had severe Crohn's disease and a nasal septal perforation, and we discuss this complication in the context of its otolaryngologic manifestations.