MR appearance of rhinoscleroma.
OBJECTIVE
We describe the MR imaging appearance of rhinoscleroma, an endemic, chronic, granulomatous disease whose causative agent is Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis.


METHODS
The study included 15 patients (nine males and six females; mean age, 25 years; range, 13-36 years) with rhinoscleroma. MR imaging was performed in all patients. The signal intensity of the nasal masses was compared with that of fat, muscle, and CSF on both T1- and T2-weighted images. All cases were proved by histopathologic examination.


RESULTS
The nasal masses were bilateral and symmetrical (n = 6), asymmetrical (n = 4), or unilateral (n = 5). They extended through the anterior nares (n = 9) or posterior choana into the nasopharynx (n = 3). They obstructed the ostiomeatal units with retained secretions in the related sinuses (n = 10). On T1-weighted images, rhinoscleroma showed striking (n = 9) or mild (n = 6) high signal intensity relative to muscle and CSF, but less hyperintensity than fat. On T2-weighted images, the nasal masses showed homogeneous high signal intensity (n = 10) or heterogeneous high signal intensity associated with hypointense foci (n = 5). They were hyperintense relative to fat and muscle, but less hyperintense than CSF.


CONCLUSIONS
The hypertrophic stage of rhinoscleroma has characteristic mild to marked high signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted MR images.
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000473:pathology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000473:pathology; D009666:Nose / Q000473:pathology; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012226:Rhinoscleroma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology