The authors reported three cases of the foreign bodies of button batteries in the nasal cavity. The first patient was a 2-year-old boy who put a small alkaline cell into his nostril, and septal perforation and the nasal atresia was observed due to chemical burn. The second patient was a 2-year-old girl, and alkaline cell caused the nasal atresia. The third case was a 5-year-old boy, who put the button battery into his nostril, but neither septal perforation nor nasal atresia was observed.
The foreign bodies of button batteries in the nasal cavity caused the specific clinical symptoms by alkali burn. It was suggested even if there were no leakage of the alkaline cell contents, the button battery might give rise to a current external to the battery and generate sodium hydroxide at the cathode of the cell.