Rhinoscleroma Revisited

ABSTRACT Rhinoscleroma (more appropriately 'scleroma') is a chronic, disfiguring inflammatory lesion that is rarely encountered in the present-day otolaryngology practice. The diagnosis often becomes difficult especially when it recurs and presents late with complications. This report illustrates the clinical and histologic features of rhinoscleroma in a defaulter patient who represents advanced-stage disease with orbital and intracranial extensions. Special emphasis has been provided on the computed tomography impressions such that the evolution of scleroma with time can be studied.

Infección por Klebsiella rinoescleromatis: revisión de una entidadotorrinolaringológica de importancia creciente: [revisión] / Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis infection: review of an otolaryngologic entity of increasing relevance: [review]

La infección por Klebsiella rinoescleromatis es una condición infrecuente en nuestro país, pero endémica en ciertas regiones del mundo. Se presenta como una entidad crónica, progresiva y de aspecto granulomatoso. Causa típicamente rinoescleroma, pero puede comprometer otras partes del sistema respiratorio. Especial atención requiere el compromiso laríngeo y traqueal pues puede representar un riesgo para la vida del paciente. Su diagnóstico se basa en hallazgos como deformidad nasal u obstrucción de la vía aérea con disnea, disfonía y estridor respiratorio. Se apoya en técnicas de imagen como la tomografía computada y la resonancia magnética, pero el diagnóstico confirmatorio lo entrega la histopatología. Su tratamiento incluye el uso de antibióticos y cirugía, la que se puede realizar por diversas técnicas. En suma, es una enfermedad que requiere un alto grado de sospecha y se debe tener en consideración actualmente ante la inmigración a nuestro medio desde regiones endémicas cercanas.

Klebsiella Rhinoscleromatis infection is a rare condition in our country, but is endemic in certain regions of the world. It is presented as a chronic entity, progressive and granulomatous aspect.Typically cause rhinoscleroma, but may also compromise other parts of the respiratory tract. Special attention requires the laryngeal and tracheal compromise therefore may pose a risk to the patient’s life. Its diagnosis is based on the clinical findings like nasal deformity or obstruction of the airway with dyspnea, dysphonia and stridor. It relies on imaging techniques such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, but the diagnosis is confirmed by histopathology. Its treatment includes antibiotics and surgery, which can be achieved by various techniques. In short, is a disease that requires a high degree of suspicion and should be taken into consideration now before the immigration to our country from nearly endemic regions.

Scleroma of the Larynx: A Case Report

Scleroma of the larynx is a rare specific granulomatous disease and is usually presented as alaryngeal extension of a primary rhinoscleroma. We report an unusual case of laryngeal scleromain a 64-year-old female patient whose presented with progressive upper respiratory obstructivesymptoms lasted for 2 years. Symptoms were acutely exaggerated during the course of one month.On physical examination, the nasal mucosa was atrophic and crusted, and septal perforationwas noted. The fiberoptic laryngoscopy revealed a yellowish granulated epiglottic mass with adirty surface mimicking laryngeal cancer. Histological sectioning showed the characteristic featuresof scleroma including Mikulicz cells with scattered plasma cells and some neutrophils.Warthin-starry stains and electron microscopy examination showed numerous short rods insidethe cytoplasm of the Mikulicz cells. After the diagnosis, the patient underwent an emergency tracheostomyfollowed by long-term antibiotic treatment, and her symptoms have slowly improved.