Alar cartilage haematoma

Abstract

We present a previously undescribed site of a subperichondrial haematoma – the alar cartilage. Two children presenting acutely, following trauma, with the clinical appearance of a ‘blueberry’ within the nasal vestibule are described. We recommend early surgical drainage of this lesion, as delay in definitive treatment may give rise to a cosmetic deformity.

Subperichondrial haematomas of the nasal alar cartilage

“…Only five cases of nasal alar cartilage haematomas have been reported in the literature so far, most of which concern a paediatric population 2 3 5. The patients of this report are also children.…”

“…Although subperichondrial haematomas of the nasal septum comprise a well-recognised, relatively common and potentially dreadful consequence of mid-facial injuries, their counterparts in the region of the major alar cartilage are much rarer and unwonted. However, they may cause equally dire aftereffects, such as cosmetic deformities and compromised nasal breathing resulting from loss of support 1–3. Another primary concern of an unaddressed haematoma would be the grievous septic intracranial complications that may ensue from successive abscess formation 4…”

Alar haematoma

“…Alar cartilage haematoma has been described on one previous occasion (Meehan et al, 1994). Early surgical drainage has been recommended as the treatment of choice.…”

Alar cartilage hematoma of the nose secondary to facial trauma.

“…3 Among those injuries vascular injury without derange will form hematoma and can be complicated by abscess or destruction of under lining cartilage. 4,5 Hematoma mostly developed in nasal septum after trauma, rarely developed in another place in the nose. Hematoma involving the nasal tip and alar cartilage is rare and till now very limited number of cases mentioned in literatures.…”