Rhinolith Misdiagnosed as Fungal Mucin

Cureus. 2023 Oct 7;15(10):e46648. doi: 10.7759/cureus.46648. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Foreign body insertion inside the nose is not uncommon in pediatric age groups. It can pass unnoticed by parents, sometimes underdiagnosed or incompletely removed by a clinician. In another scenario, it may be incidentally discovered by imaging during dental workups commonly. This foreign body acts like a nidus for a rhinolith, as it gets calcified over years and becomes like a stone, causing unilateral nasal symptoms. Herein, we present a case of a young female with a rhinolith mistaken for fungal mud. We aim to emphasize this rare clinical condition that, if left unperceived, may lead to complications including, but not limited to, sinusitis, pressure necrosis to the surrounding structure causing septal perforation, or naso-palatal fistula.

Keywords: fungal sinusitis; nasal foreign body; nasal mass; nasal sinus tumor; rhinolith.

Publication types

  • Case Reports