Paediatric rhinolith: Case report and literature review

Rhinolithiasis, the presence of nasal stones, is uncommon in children. It can pose a diagnostic challenge because of the unusual presentation and difficulties associated with its identification.

This article describes a 2-year-old boy who came to our clinic with his parents complaining of foul-smelling nasal discharge, which was unilateral and greenish in color. A rhinolith was found and successfully removed in the emergency room.

Several studies have shown that patients with rhinolithiasis may present with cacosmia, epistaxis, headache, facial pain, and epiphora. The usual presentation of rhinolithiasis is between the ages of 8 and 25, with a higher rate of occurrence in females. Various imaging techniques do not show rhinoliths clearly; instead, endoscopic examination plays a major role in the diagnosis.

Rhinolithiasis is a rare clinical etiology, especially in this age group. If left untreated, further destruction of the nasal cavity will occur. Otolaryngologists should consider an appropriate diagnostic and management approach in such cases, and rhinolithiasis should be one of the top differentials in cases of sudden unilateral nasal obstruction.