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Deliberate self-harming application of superglue in the nose: case report and literature review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 January 2015

T Tikka ,
J Al Abduwani  and
D Costello
T Tikka*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, UK
J Al Abduwani
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, UK
D Costello
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Theofano Tikka, ENT Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK E-mail: Theofano.tikka@gmail.com
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Abstract

Background:

Accidental and non-accidental applications of superglue in the ear, nose and oral cavity have been reported previously. Surgical removal of glue from the nose is the current practice.

Case report:

This paper reports the case of an 18-year-old female, who presented with complete bilateral nasal occlusion due to deliberate self-application of superglue in both nostrils to avoid nasogastric tube insertion.

Results:

Removal of glue was accomplished with a combination of local anaesthetic cream and acetone-soaked cotton buds, which caused only minimal discomfort to the patient. All traces of glue disappeared within 10 days, without causing damage to the nasal mucosa, nasal blockage or pain.

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of deliberate self-application of superglue in the nose. A successful non-surgical management option for the removal of glue from the nose is introduced.

Keywords

GluesNoseAcetoneAnesthetics, LocalDeliberate Self-Harm
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 1 , January 2015 , pp. 98 - 100
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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