Asymptomatic nasal septal perforations in systemic lupus erythematosus

Nasal septal performation has been considered a diagnostic criterion for systemic lupus erythematosus since 1971. However, little has been published in the otorhinolaryngologic literature regarding this lesion. We report six patients having asymptomatic anteroinferior nasal septal perforations and symptomatic lupus. No obvious clinical correlates were found. We support the hypothesis that nasal septal perforation in systemic lupus erythematosus is a common phenomenon, and attribute its infrequent detection to the asymptomatic nature of the lesion in this setting.