Rhinoscleroma is an uncommon infection of the upper respiratory tract that tends to be encountered in certain regions of the World.
Causative organism: Klebisella rhinoscleromatis
Sites affected may include:
(1) nasal mucosa
(2) pharynx
(3) Eustachian tube
(4) maxillary antrum
(5) oral cavity
(6) larynx
(7) orbit
(8) trachea
(9) bronchi
Stages of the infection:
(1) catarrhal
(2) proliferative or granulomatous
(3) sclerotic or fibrotic
Typical symptoms of nasal involvement:
(1) nasal obstruction
(2) epistaxis
(3) chronic rhinorrhea
(4) stridor
A biopsy shows chronic granulomatous inflammation with Mikulicz cells (large foamy histiocytes that may contain bacteria).
Diagnosis may involve:
(1) history of residence in an endemic region
(2) constellation of symptoms, histologic findings and response to antibiotics
(3) positive culture or PCR
(4) exclusion of other conditions (Histoplasmosis, etc)
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases, Pulmonology
ICD-10: ,
