Human Rhinosporidiosis of the Nasal Cavity: a Case Report

Background: Rhinosporidiosis is a rare chronic granulomatous disease caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi. It is endemic in some parts of Asia and commonly involves the mucous membrane of the nose presenting with nasal obstruction, a nasal mass, and epistaxis. The main treatment for rhinosporidiosis remains surgical excision, although it may recur after excision. Rhinosporidiosis is a condition that clinicians should keep in mind when managing patients with nasal masses even in non-endemic areas. Case presentation: A 52-year-old housewife presented with a 9-month history of left progressive nasal obstruction and progressive enlarging left nasal growth associated with recurrent nasal bleeding and nasal discharge. She had a history of rearing animals and bathing in ponds as well as engaging in farming activities. Examination revealed a fleshy polypoid mass attached to the nasal septum by pedicle and filling the whole of the left nasal cavity covered with a mucopurulent nasal discharge with associated contact bleeding. She had endoscopic resection under local anaesthesia with cauterization of the base of the mass with a silver nitrate pencil. A histopathological diagnosis of rhinosporidiosis was made. Conclusion: Rhinosporidiosis is rare in our environment, its presentation mimics that of nasal tumours. Therefore, it should be part of the differential diagnosis; both clinicians and pathologists should have it at the back of their minds when managing patients with nasal masses even in non-endemic areas.