OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of the simple technique of scrape cytology for obtaining a morphologic diagnosis of Rhinosporodium seeberi. STUDY DESIGN: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of the simple technique of scrape cytology for obtaining a morphologic diagnosis of Rhinosporodium seeberi. STUDY DESIGN: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.