A case report of giant rhinophyma

Abstract

Introduction: We present the case of a man with a giant rhinophyma, a very rare nasal disorder. Case presentation: A 89 years old man had been observing a rapid increase in the size of the nose in the last eight years. He had been reporting difficulty in breathing through the nose and mouth and intaking food for months. The aesthetic aspect, severely compromised, had determined the isolation of the subject even from family members. We decided to operate the rhinophyma completely by using sharp scalpel incision and electrosurgical knife assisted dissection. Histological examination of the biopsy specimens revealed a hyperkeratosis of the epidermis and cystic expansion of ducts in dermis. After excision, the recovery of normal physiognomy has led to the recovery of social and family relationships. Conclusion: In our experience it affords the surgeon the ability to rapidly and accurately sculpt the nose to an excellent aesthetic result. In advanced forms of rhinophyma, when the tumor is giant, the main method of treatment is surgery. *Correspondence to: Giorgio Cabrini, Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and clinical Sciences, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Hospital “S.S. Annunziata”, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy, Tel: +39-087-135-71; E-mail: giorgio2090@gmail.com