Nondisseminated Rhinosporidiosis with Multisite Involvement in the Head and Neck

Abstract

Rhinosporidiosis is a communicable disease prevalent in tropical countries that affects one or more mucocutaneous sites such as the nasal cavity, pharynx, skin, bronchus, genitals, and bone, in isolation or together. We report a case of multicentric rhinosporidiosis involving the nasal cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and cheek skin without disseminated disease outside the head and neck. Although the appearance of mucocutaneous lesions in our patient was similar to that of papilloma or neoplasm, the distinct clinicopathologic characteristics of the rhinosporidiosis guided us in managing the case successfully. In our own experience with 11 patients with rhinosporidiosis on whom we operated over the past 5 years, the nasal cavity and pharynx were the most commonly involved sites in the head and neck. Surgical excision of all lesions along with cauterization of the base and long-term dapsone therapy is the current standard of care for multicentric rhinosporidiosis.