Rhinoscleroma in an octogenarian woman

Abstract

Rhinoscleroma, a granulomatous infection caused by Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis and usually afflicting young adults, was diagnosed in an 81-year-old woman. Treatment was started with orally administered antibiotics but was soon halted because of side effects. She was treated instead by local spread of a 3% rifampin ointment. After 6 weeks, the lesion cleared up and she improved remarkably. There was no recurrence during 18 months of follow-up. The current report is the second published case of rhinoscleroma in an elderly person and the first report on its cure by local treatment with a 3% rifampin ointment. This favorable experience contributes to the limited knowledge on rhinoscleroma in the elderly.