Differential diagnosis of rhinosporidiosis: report of a case

Abstract

We report the case of a man with rhinosporidiosis, an infrequent, chronic granulomatous disease; he lived in a rural area in northwestern Colombia, and came to the hospital because of nasal obstruction and unilateral epistaxis. A polypoid mass was found similar to that of an inverted sinusal papilloma. Biopsy revealed a granulomatous lesion due to rhinosporidiosis. Endoscopic resection was carried out and diaminodiphenylsulfone was administered (100 mg/day for 3 months). Evolution was favorable. Rhinosporidiosis must be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of benign nasal masses, not only in endemic areas. Histopathological study is necessary for diagnosis. We suggest that epidemiological report of rhinosporidiosis cases is done in order to identify possible sources of the infection as well as persons with extra-nasal manifestations of this disease.