Rhinosporidiosis of the parotid duct presenting as a parotid duct cyst – A report of three cases

Abstract

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi. Rhinosporidiosis has been reported from many countries but is endemic in certain parts of India and Sri Lanka. The common sites of involvement are the nose and nasopharynx followed by ocular tissue. Rhinosporidiosis is also known to involve many rare sites and may become disseminated to occur in a generalized form. Rhinosporidiosis of the parotid duct is rare and only five reported cases could be found in the literature. We report three cases of rhinosporidiosis of parotid duct presenting clinically as a parotid duct cyst. Rhinosporidiosis was diagnosed by histopathology. None of these patients had rhinosporidiosis at any other site.

Imaging features of rhinosporidiosis on contrast CT

“…However, it is known to involve the lacrimal sac, larynx, conjunctiva, parotid duct, tracheobronchial tree, skin, urethra, vagina, and bones. [1578] In our study, the sites of occurrence of disease were nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx, nasolacrimal duct, bronchus, skin, and subcutaneous tissue [Figures 1-6]. In the nasal cavity, the most common site involved was the inferior nasal cavity, comprising nasal floor, inferior turbinate, and inferior meatus.…”

“…[1] In India, it is endemic in southern India (Tamil Nadu and Kerala), Orissa, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh, and known to occur sporadically in many parts of the country. [145] This condition is known to have a high rate of recurrence after surgical excision of lesions. [4]…”

Oculosporidial polyp infected secondarily by Enterobius vermicularis

“…Though rhinosporidiosis occurs worldwide, it is endemic in South India and Srilanka. [ 3 ] Males are commonly affected. The upper respiratory tract is involved in majority of cases.…”

Rigid Bronchoscopic Management of Tracheobronchial Rhinosporidiosis Report of 5 Cases and Systematic Review of Literature

“…1 Nasal, nasopharyngeal involvement is most common followed by ocular disease, as has been reported in large series from India and Sri Lanka. 2,3 Tracheobronchial rhinosporidiosis (TBR) is a rare disease. The first case was reported in 1956 by Thomas et al 4 Ours is a tertiary care referral center for pulmonary interventions in South India.…”

“…The organism was named by Asworth in 1923 based on the observations of Guillermo Seeber 1 . Nasal, nasopharyngeal involvement is most common followed by ocular disease, as has been reported in large series from India and Sri Lanka 2,3 . Tracheobronchial rhinosporidiosis (TBR) is a rare disease.…”