Intranasal Acetaminophen Abuse and Nasal, Pharyngeal, and Laryngotracheal Damage

A young adult female originally presented with necrosis of the nasal cavity mucosa and septum after sniffing crushed acetaminophen. She underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and debridement but continued to use acetaminophen intranasally. Four months later, the destruction had extended to include the posterior pharyngeal wall and subglottis. The diagnosis was confirmed by polarizable talc found on biopsy of the subglottis. While nasal insufflation of cocaine and hydrocodone-acetaminophen has been well-documented, intranasal abuse of exclusively acetaminophen is not well understood. This case demonstrates the destructive potential of intranasal acetaminophen use and may help physicians recognize unusual signs and symptoms of intranasal drug abuse.