Atrophic rhinitis presenting with ethmoidal mucocele: a case report

Atrophic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic debilitating nasal mucosal disease predominantly prevalent in tropical countries. In the present case a 70-year-old female presented with a swelling in the right medial canthal area for six months and had features of Atrophic rhinitis with large septal perforation leading to saddle nose deformity. Computed tomography pictures were suggestive of ethmoidal mucocele and was later decompressed endoscopically. The sequelae and complications of AR like nasal septal perforation, saddle nose deformity, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), local and systemic spread of infection, atrophic pharyngitis, laryngitis, dacryocystitis and nasal myiasis have been reported in literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of AR presenting with ethmoidal mucocele. A case of AR with CRS is to be treated with caution as it can lead to complications as it is often neglected.