Respiratory System
Nose, Septum - Perforation
Narrative
Septal perforation (Figure 1 and Figure 2) has not been seen as a background lesion. It typically occurs after exposure to highly irritating agents that cause necrosis and ulceration of the mucosa and atrophy of the nasal turbinates. Therefore, it is typically preceded or accompanied by epithelial lesions, such as squamous metaplasia, ulceration or necrosis, inflammation, and turbinate atrophy. It is most commonly seen in chronic inhalation studies.
Septal perforation should be diagnosed whenever present but need not be graded. Other lesions, including epithelial lesions (degeneration, necrosis, ulceration, squamous metaplasia, etc.), turbinate atrophy, and inflammation, should be diagnosed separately.
Monticello TM, Morgan KT, Uraih LC. 1990. Nonneoplastic nasal lesions in rats and mice. Environ Health Perspect 85:249-274.
Full Text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1568333/
Nose, Septum - Perforation in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. A perforation is present in the nasal septum (arrow).
