Tracheal rhinosporidiosis: an uncommon life threatening benign condition

ABSTRACT

Rhinosporidiosis in tracheobronchial tree is extremely rare. It poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and has high chance of mortality because of presentation with respiratory distress. We report such a case of a 35 years old man who presented with respiratory distress and dry irritating cough. Fiberoptic laryngoscopy revealed a reddish soft tissue mass below the vocal cord level. Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed a soft tissue opacity within the trachea occluding the airway. Direct endoscopic biopsy was done after securing the airway. Histopathological examination confirmed rhinosporidiosis and the mass was excised through an external approach. The patient was free of symptoms and no recurrence was reported till 30 months of follow-up