Rhinosporodiosis. Diagnosis by scrape cytology.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the utility of the simple technique of scrape cytology for obtaining a morphologic diagnosis of Rhinosporodium seeberi.

STUDY

DESIGN

The study included nine patients presenting with a nasal polyp alone and one patient presenting with a skin ulcer with a recurrent nasal polyp. Scrape smears from all 10 nasal polyps and skin ulcers were collected. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain was used on smears from three cases. Histopathology of all the nasal polyps and the excised skin ulcer was done.

RESULTS

The scrape smears showed characteristic spores of R seeberi mixed with an acute and chronic inflammatory exudate and metaplastic cells. PAS stain showed positivity for the capsule. Histopathology confirmed the cytologic diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Since mature sporangia rupture either on the surface or within the mucosa of polyps, scrape smears reliably and safely retrieve abundant spores. Therefore, this technique, offers immense potential for a rapid and correct preoperative diagnosis of rhinosporodiosis. It thereby facilitates the planning of surgical interventions to prevent recurrences.