Rhinosporodiosis. Diagnosis by scrape cytology.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the utility of the simple technique of scrape cytology for obtaining a morphologic diagnosis of Rhinosporodium seeberi.


METHODS
The study included nine patients presenting with a nasal polyp alone and one patient presenting with a skin ulcer with a recurrent nasal polyp. Scrape smears from all 10 nasal polyps and skin ulcers were collected. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain was used on smears from three cases. Histopathology of all the nasal polyps and the excised skin ulcer was done.


RESULTS
The scrape smears showed characteristic spores of R seeberi mixed with an acute and chronic inflammatory exudate and metaplastic cells. PAS stain showed positivity for the capsule. Histopathology confirmed the cytologic diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Since mature sporangia rupture either on the surface or within the mucosa of polyps, scrape smears reliably and safely retrieve abundant spores. Therefore, this technique, offers immense potential for a rapid and correct preoperative diagnosis of rhinosporodiosis. It thereby facilitates the planning of surgical interventions to prevent recurrences.
Kamal
M M
MM
Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Luley
A S
AS
Mundhada
S G
SG
Bobhate
S K
SK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012227:Rhinosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000166:cytology