[Rhinoscleroma: a rare chronic infection of the nasal cavities].

We report the case of a 80-year old hypertensive female patient, presenting with bilateral nasal obstruction not improved by symptomatic treatment. The examination of the nasal cavity showed pseudotumoral hypervascularized granulomatous bleeding lesion on both sides of the anterior portion of the nasal septum (A). The remainder of the septal mucosa showed granulomatous appearance. CT scan of the facial bones showed tissue lesion of the nasal cavities on both sides of the septum which was moderately enhancing after injection of iodinated contrast medium (ICM), without bone lysis (B). Biopsy showed rhinoscleroma. The patient received combination therapy including cyclin associated with cotrimoxazole without disappearance of the nasal lesion. Endonasal excision of the septal mass was performed. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of rhinoscleroma. The patient underwent ciprofloxacin therapy for 1 month. Patient evolution was good with nasal clearance at 1-year follow up. Rhinoscleroma is a granulomatous infection of the nasal cavities due to enteric bacterium belonging to the Klebsiella family (Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis). Treatment is essentially medical. Surgery is used to remove obstructive pseudotumoral lesions resistant to medical treatment.