Changes in the pattern of rhinoscleroma in Egypt: updated experience

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to record recent changes in the incidence and clinical and histopathological patterns of rhinoscleroma in the middle of Nile Delta in Egypt.MethodTwenty-eight patients with rhinoscleroma were included in this study. Patients who were attending the Department of Otolaryngology at Tanta University Hospitals from January 2014 to January 2019 were included. Cases were diagnosed by clinical, bacteriological and histopathological data. Nasal biopsies were taken for histopathological and electron microscopy studies. All patients received a twelve-week course of 500 mg ciprofloxacin tablets twice daily.ResultsThe rate of rhinoscleroma was shown to be decreasing compared with previous studies. In this study, the disease mainly affected the nose without involvement of the palate, lips, Eustachian tube or bronchi. Histopathological and electron microscopy analyses showed that most cases were in the atrophic and fibrotic stages rather than the granulomatous stage of disease.ConclusionThe incidence of rhinoscleroma in Egypt is decreasing and its clinical and histopathological patterns are changing to less advanced forms. This may be explained by the improvement in socioeconomic conditions and methods of treatment.

Topical ciprofloxacin as treatment for rhinoscleroma in a series of 23 patients

“…We have found that topical ciprofloxacin ointment for 12‐24 weeks achieved clinical and bacteriological cure in all 23 patients, but five cases showed recurrence (22%) between 12 and 18 months after cure. This recurrence rate is comparable to that reported for oral ciprofloxacin in the literature where case series of between 7 and 28 patients reported recurrence rate between 0% and 29% 1,3,9,10 …”

“…This recurrence rate is comparable to that reported for oral ciprofloxacin in the literature where case series of between 7 and 28 patients reported recurrence rate between 0% and 29%. 1,3,9,10 Moreover, topical ciprofloxacin has potential advantage over systemic therapy as it has little or no systemic side effects or interaction with other medications. It can be much safer to use where systemic ciprofloxacin is relatively contraindicated as in diabetes mellitus, chronic renal disease, Musculoskeletal disorders, arrhythmia, seizures and during pregnancy or breast-feeding.…”