Publication:

Clinical profile of rhinosporidiosis in a tertiary care center of an endemic area

Background Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous inflammation caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi. It is water borne disease endemic in Kanyakumari district of South India. The objective of the study was to study the clinical profile of rhinosporidiosis in an endemic area of Kanyakumari districtMethods: This is a prospective study of 50 surgically treated cases of rhinosporidiosis carried out in the department of ENT, Kanyakumari Government Medical College from January 2016 to December 2017. All were diagnosed on clinical basis and were treated by excision and electrocautery of the base. The specimens were sent for histopathological examination.

Results The cases in this study were in the age group between 6 to 70 years. Of these 38 were males and 12 were females indicating a male preponderance. The main presenting symptom was epistaxis in about 80% cases. Nose is the common site involved. Extra nasal spread is common in recurrent cases.

Conclusions The study reflects the endemicity of this disease in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. High incidence is noted in those bathing in ponds. Extra nasal spread is common in recurrent cases and raising health awareness will go a long way in decreasing its incidence.