Giant nasal rhinolith.

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal rhinoliths are uncommon lesions that result from the complete or partial encrustation of an intra­ nasal foreign body with mineral salts, mainly calcium and magnesium [1]. The first radiologic diagnosis of a rhinolith was made by Mac intyre (1900) [2], only 4 years after Roentgen 's discovery of x-rays. Radiology is an invaluable investigation in the diagnosis of foreign bodies, and this is partic ularly true for rhinoliths. Foreign bodies of high radio­ density are easily identified and localized using conventional radiography; however , tomography and especially com­ puted tomography (CT), may be extremely helpful in local­ izing foreign bodies of lower radiodensity. We present a patient with a giant nasal rhinolith, with a discussion of the c linical and radiologic features.