A Case of Nasal Cavity Foreign Bodies by Inhalation of Polyurethane Foam

ABSTRACT

Foreign bodies in the nasal cavity are commonly encountered in otorhinolaryngologic practice, particularly among children and mentally handicapped patients. Such foreign bodies include plastic toys, pebbles, seeds, buttons, and many others. Many of these foreign bodies can be easily removed with simple tools. However, some of them adhere to the nasal mucosa, resulting in complications such as necrosis or neurovascular injury of the nasal mucosa. Polyurethane foam in the nasal cavity has never been reported in Korea. Furthermore, the complications caused by polyurethane foam in the nasal cavity have not yet been reported. In this article, we report a man who presented with polyurethane foam that had spread into both nasal cavity and nasopharynx by inhalation and adhered to the nasal cavity and sinuses.