rhinoscleroma

A chronic granulomatous process involving the nose, upper lip, mouth, and upper air passages; starts usually as a growth of hard smooth nodules in the anterior nares that spreads backward into the pharynx, larynx, trachea, and even into the bronchi; it may involve the external auditory meatus and is believed to be due to a specific bacterium, Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis. [rhino- + G. skleroma, an induration]

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rhi·no·scle·ro·ma .rī-nō-sklə-'rō-mə n, pl -ma·ta -mət-ə a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasopharyngeal mucosa that is characterized by the formation of granulomas and by dense induration of the tissues and nodular deformity

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n.

the formation of nodules in the interior of the nose and nasopharynx, which become thickened. It is caused by bacterial infection (with Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis).

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rhi·no·scle·ro·ma (ri″no-sklə-roґmə) [rhino- + scleroma] a granulomatous disease in which hard patches or nodules form on the nose and nasopharynx, thought to be due to Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis; it occurs in Egypt, Eastern Europe, and Central and South America.