Invasive Rhinoscleroma Mimicking an Aggressive Sinonasal Neoplasm: A Diagnostic Challenge—A Rare Case Report
4 affiliations
- 1Sahan Pathology Labs Mogadishu Somalia
- 2Department of Radiology Mogadishu Somali Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital Mogadishu Somalia
- 3Department of Radiology Horyaal Hospital Mogadishu Somalia
- 4Institute of Research and Development Benadir University Mogadishu Somalia
Abstract
Rhinoscleroma is a chronic granulomatous infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis. We report, to our knowledge, the first published case from Somalia. A 60‐year‐old woman presented after two years of progressive right proptosis, nasal obstruction, and headache. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an extensive right nasopharyngeal mass with orbital and intracranial extension, initially raising concern for malignancy. Biopsy demonstrated foamy Mikulicz cells and plasma cells with Russell bodies; periodic acid–Schiff staining highlighted intracytoplasmic organisms. Biopsy culture isolated K. rhinoscleromatis. The patient improved clinically after a two‐month antibiotic course, but residual fibrotic disease remained, and planned surgery was not undertaken because of financial constraints. This case illustrates how rhinoscleroma can mimic an aggressive neoplasm and how combined histopathological and microbiological assessment can establish the diagnosis despite resource limitations.
Related
- Giant primary retroperitoneal myxofibrosarcoma mimicking myxoid liposarcoma: a diagnostic and surgical challenge
- Relapsing Polychondritis With Severe Airway Involvement Mimicking Refractory Asthma: A Diagnostic Challenge
- Diagnostic Challenge in Cytology: Fibrosing Thyroiditis Mimicking Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.
- Bouveret Syndrome Mimicking Gallbladder Malignancy: A Diagnostic Challenge in an 85-Year-Old Woman
- Gastric duplication cyst mimicking an adrenal-region cyst: a diagnostic challenge
BibTeX
@article{kahiye2026invasive,
title = {{Invasive Rhinoscleroma Mimicking an Aggressive Sinonasal Neoplasm: A Diagnostic Challenge—A Rare Case Report}},
author = {Mohamed Ali Kahiye and Shuayb Moallim Ali and Faisal Abdi Osoble Osman and Yahye Garad Mohamed and Jamal Saman},
journal = {Clinical Case Reports},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1002/ccr3.73773},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.73773},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Invasive Rhinoscleroma Mimicking an Aggressive Sinonasal Neoplasm: A Diagnostic Challenge—A Rare Case Report
AU - Mohamed Ali Kahiye
AU - Shuayb Moallim Ali
AU - Faisal Abdi Osoble Osman
AU - Yahye Garad Mohamed
AU - Jamal Saman
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/06
JO - Clinical Case Reports
DO - 10.1002/ccr3.73773
UR - https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.73773
AB - Rhinoscleroma is a chronic granulomatous infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis. We report, to our knowledge, the first published case from Somalia. A 60‐year‐old woman presented after two years of progressive right proptosis, nasal obstruction, and headache. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an extensive right nasopharyngeal mass with orbital and intracranial extension, initially raising concern for malignancy. Biopsy demonstrated foamy Mikulicz cells and plasma cells with Russell bodies; periodic acid–Schiff staining highlighted intracytoplasmic organisms. Biopsy culture isolated K. rhinoscleromatis. The patient improved clinically after a two‐month antibiotic course, but residual fibrotic disease remained, and planned surgery was not undertaken because of financial constraints. This case illustrates how rhinoscleroma can mimic an aggressive neoplasm and how combined histopathological and microbiological assessment can establish the diagnosis despite resource limitations.
SN - 2050-0904
ER -