Rhinosporidiosis: A Case Report of 2 Cases from Gujarat

Background: Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi and it affects both man and animals. It mainly affects nose and nasopharynx. Other sites that can be involved are conjunctiva, Urethra, palate, tongue, epiglottis, larynx, trachea, bronchi, skin, vulva and vagina. Most of the cases are found in India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Some other cases also have been reported from Africa, South America, Europe, North America and Canada. In India, disease is common in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgardh, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh. It is uncommon in Gujarat.
Case presentation: Two cases from village area of Gujarat presented to our institute in 2010 and 2015. Both were male between 15-20 years. Presenting complaint was nasal blockage in both and on examination polypoidal, erythematous mass was present in nasal cavity which bleed on touch. Biopsy from the lesion confirmed the diagnosis.
Conclusion: Though it is uncommon, Rhinosporidiosis should be kept in mind while treating any nasal mass. Biopsy should be taken whenever diagnosis is doubted. Surgical excision of mass lesion with bipolar electrocoagulation is treatment of choice. Recurrence is less common if complete removal is done. Role of medical therapy is doubtful and it was not given in these 2 cases.