Rhinolithiasis: about an observation of a rare condition

Abstract

Rhinolithiasis is a rare condition often neglected or unknown that tends to disappear in developed countries and corresponds to a solid calcification by gradual deposition of calcareous salts around a central resorbable or non-resorbable foundation of varying shape and size. The most common symptom is a long-term unilateral purulent rhinorrhea and unilateral nasal obstruction. Nasal endoscopy and imaging are interesting for the positive diagnosis but especially to highlight the anatomical anomalies or related pathologies. Therapeutic management requires endonasal extraction of the rhinolith under general anesthesia. We report an observation of rhinolithiasis treated in our department associating a significant deformation of the nasal pyramid to osteolysis.

Keywords

• rhinolithiasis
• nasal rhinorrhea
• nasal foreign body
• nasal endoscopy
• rhinoliths