A case of Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection of the paranasal sinuses

Abstract

Background: Corynebacterium diphtheriae may cause respiratory or cutaneous infections, often with the formation of a pseudo-membrane in the tonsils, pharynx, nasopharynx, or larynx. Case Report: We describe the case of a 42-year-old patient presenting with chronic sinusitis without polyposis with symptoms of forehead and malar pain and pressure that did not abate with conservative therapy. She opted for surgical management and operative cultures taken from the paranasal sinuses grew Corynebacterium diphtheriae Toxin A type. Patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and she completed diphtheria treatment with erythromycin. Conclusion: Our case report highlights a previously unreported presentation of diphtheria infection of the paranasal sinuses and underlies the importance of considering this rare organism in patients with an unknown vaccination history from endemic areas with tenacious plaques of the oropharynx, nasopharynx, and nasal cavity.

Keywords

• Diphtheria
• Corynebacterium diphtheriae
• Paranasal sinus
• Sinusitis