Rhinoscleroma in an Urban Non-endemic Setting

Objective: 1) Increase awareness and understanding of the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options of respiratory rhinoscleroma among otolaryngologists in nonendemic areas. 2) Review current literature, including our clinical experience, and propose a treatment algorithm for rhinoscleroma cases in a nonendemic setting.Method: Report 2 cases of nasal and 1 case of laryngeal rhinoscleroma in an urban nonendemic setting in Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston, Texas. All patients presented in the spring of 2010 and were treated medically and/or surgically with an established follow-up of more than 6 months.Results: Rhinoscleroma is a chronic, slowly progressive, infectious disease of the respiratory tract that is rare in nonendemic countries. Increased travel from endemic areas is increasing its incidence in a nonendemic setting, and there is a need for an increased awareness of its clinical presentation and treatment options. The condition can easily mimic other pathologies and, if untreated,...