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Disseminated cutaneous rhinosporidiomas in an immunocompetent male

Sunil N Tolat1, Neeta R Gokhale, Vasudha A Belgaumkar

  • 1Department of Dermatology, B. J. Medical College and Sassoon General Hospitals, Pune, Maharashatra, India. suniltolat@hotmail.com

Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology
|October 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Disseminated cutaneous rhinosporidiosis, a rare manifestation of this chronic infection, presented as tumor-like swellings in an immunocompetent patient. This case highlights the potential for widespread skin involvement beyond typical nasal and nasopharyngeal sites.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic, granulomatous disease caused by *Rhinosporidium seeberi*, endemic in India and Sri Lanka.
  • It primarily affects the nasal mucosa and nasopharynx, often presenting as polyps.
  • Cutaneous manifestations are uncommon, typically resulting from autoinoculation or hematogenous spread.

Observation:

  • A 48-year-old immunocompetent male presented with a 10-month history of gradually enlarging, painless, disseminated cutaneous tumor-like swellings.
  • Lesions were distributed over the upper limbs, abdomen, left buttock, and calf.
  • The patient had a prior history of surgical excisions and electrocauterization for subglottic and nasal polyps.

Findings:

  • Histopathological examination of the cutaneous lesions confirmed rhinosporidiosis.
  • General and systemic examinations revealed no other abnormalities, indicating a localized but disseminated cutaneous presentation.
  • This case represents a rare instance of disseminated cutaneous rhinosporidiosis without systemic involvement.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering rhinosporidiosis in the differential diagnosis of disseminated cutaneous lesions, even in immunocompetent individuals.
  • It highlights the potential for unusual presentations of rhinosporidiosis, necessitating thorough histopathological evaluation.
  • Further research into the pathogenesis of disseminated cutaneous rhinosporidiosis may improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

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