Tracheal rhinoscleroma

Abstract

Tracheal rhinoscleroma is an infectious granulomatosis of the tracheobronchial tract causedby a Gram-negative bacillus. Exclusively tracheal involvement has been rarely reported in the literature.The purpose of this study was to report a case of subglottic stenosis secondary to rhinoscleroma.Summary: A 46-year-old North African woman with no medical or surgical history presented with inspira-tory dyspnoea that had been present for several years. Endoscopic examination under general anaesthesiarevealed tracheal stenosis. Histological examination of mucosal biopsies demonstrated Mikulicz cells andculture of bacteriological samples taken during a second biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of rhinoscle-roma. CO2 laser subglottic obstruction relief was performed and treatment with ofloxacin was initiated.No recurrence of tracheal stenosis was observed with a follow-up of 6 months.Discussion: The diagnosis of rhinoscleroma is based on histological and bacteriological examination.Cultures are positive in 60% of cases, but negative cultures do not exclude the diagnosis of rhinoscle-roma. Specific treatment consists of long-term antibiotic therapy, while surgery may be indicated forsymptomatic treatment.