Nasal Rhinosporidiosis in a Nigerian Child: A Rare Clinical Entity

Background: Rhinosporidiosis is a rare chronic granulomatous disease characterized by polypous lesion of the mucous membrane caused by rhinosporidium seeberi which predominantly affects the mucous membrane of the Naso-pharynx, conjuctiva and palate. Rhinosporidiosis can be easily misdiagnosed as a neoplastic disease, and hence, it is necessary to educate the public and medical community about this emerging disease entity in our region. Aim: To report a rare case of nasal rhinosporidiosis in a 13-year-old male patient from Sokoto, North Western Nigeria. Case Report: A 13-year-old male Quranic child from gwadabawa village in Sokoto State, North Western Nigeria, whose parents are rice farmers, presented in the ENT clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital with 15-month history of intermittent epistaxis and left nasal mass noticed one month before presenting. He was examined clinically and a pinkish polypoidal mass arising from the septum and filling the left nasal cavity was seen. He subsequently had a biopsy of the mass and histopathological examination with special histochemical staining, which confirmed rhinosporidiosis. Conclusion: Rhinospridiosis is an unusual cause of nasal masses in our region and is probably a fungal disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case in this region. This lesion largely mimics ordinary nasal polyp; therefore, it is an important possible differential diagnosis to be considered in our region when evaluating patients with nasal masses.