Nasal manifestations of systemic disease.

The spectrum of systemic diseases that can involve the nose extends from bacterial and fungal infections to connective tissue disorders. Nasal involvement may be minor and merely an annoyance to the patient, as in systemic lupus erythematosus, or it may pose the risk of life-threatening complications, as in mucormycosis. Although the diagnosis is often readily apparent from characteristic nasal lesions or other systemic manifestations, nasal biopsy may be necessary to positively identify the cause, as in Wegener's granulomatosis. With prompt identification and treatment, nasal involvement in many disorders can be halted before further damage and destruction occur.