Journey of the Nasal Septum Into the Lungs: A Unique Complication of Cocaine Abuse

Cocaine is a powerful addictive stimulant drug which is known to have a wide range of adverse effects across the spectrum of organ systems. Pulmonary complications have been widely reported. Intranasal inhalation has its own sequelae of complications. It is also quite common that patients who use cocaine also use other drugs. Polysubstance abuse may result in varying detrimental effects. Here, we report a unique case of nasal septal aspiration as a complication of intranasal cocaine inhalation with concomitant alcohol abuse. It is hypothesized the patient perforated his nasal septum due to chronic intranasal inhalation of cocaine and he subsequently aspirated his septum as a result of central nervous system depression secondary to alcohol intoxication.