Case report of long-term presence of foreign body in nasopharynx

Rhinolithiasis is a rare pathological phenomenon, according to statistics, the incidence of rhinolith is about 1 person per 10,000 otolaryngological outpatients. Often, rhinolith is accompanied by an asymptomatic course and often becomes an accidental finding. Lack of vigilance of the otorhinolaryngologist and neglect of the possibility of using computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses, first of all, at the first stage of the patient’s treatment in an outpatient setting, often leads to an untimely diagnosis of this disease. Meanwhile, late diagnosis of rhinolith can lead to the development of purulent processes, dystrophic and atrophic changes in the nasal mucosa, naso-oral fistulas, dacryocystitis, osteomyelitis and the formation of an epidural abscess. The article presents a case of prolonged (more than 22 years) presence of a foreign body in the nasal cavity in a 26-year-old female patient, which led to the formation of rhinolith. Despite the long-term complaints and clinical manifestations of the disease with constant visits to the otorhinolaryngologist, the patient did not undergo computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses. The prescribed instrumental examinations (CT scan of the paranasal sinuses and endovideoscopy of the nasal cavity) at the Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech allowed us to diagnose rhinolitis of the nasal cavity and successfully carry out surgical treatment.