Non Indigenous Rhinoscleroma

Abstract

Rhinoscleroma (RS) is a granulomatous illness of the upper respiratory tract caused by Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis. It is a rare, chronic, granulomatous disease. RS develops in the nasal mucosa subepithelium and can spread to the eustachian tube, maxillary antrum, oral cavity, larynx, orbit, trachea, and bronchi. The present case is of a 29-year-old female who came to the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Outpatient Department (OPD) with chief complaints of bilateral nose block for six months. Examination by anterior rhinoscopy revealed pink nasal mucosa and a swelling arising from both sides of nasal septum, that was soft, non tender, did not bleed on touch. Diagnostic nasal endoscopy showed a midline septal mass which was present just posterior to mucocutaneous junction and a second septal mass was present posterior to first mass at level of posterior part of inferior turbinate. The patient underwent submucosal resection of septal mass and the same was sent for histopathological examination and it was diagnosed as features suggestive of RS. The patient was treated with a course of tablet ciprofloxacin, analgesics, antihistamines. There has been no recurrence during the one year follow-up period. Patient improved symptomatically and had no further complaints.

Keywords

• granulomatous disease
• nasal mucosa
• nasal septal lesion
• rhinoscopy