* Surgery at KIMS Saveera Hospital under AarogyaSri

* Doctors have successfully cured the patient

Rhinosporidiosis is a very rare infection, which is more likely seen in people living in coastal areas, that too who work for more time in water. Dr. Raghavendra Reddy, Consultant ENT Surgeon, KIMS Savira Hospital, Anantapuram, performed endoscopic surgery on a person who had developed a tumor in the nose and had difficulty breathing due to the infection. He gave the details.

“Venkatesh, a resident of Andepalli village, Kambadur manadal , Anantapur district, came to us saying that he had been feeling breathlessness for the last three years (nose being blocked). When he was examined, it was found that a tumor had formed in his nose. Since the patient was very poor, we decided to admit him under Aarogyasri and do the surgery. In the endoscopic procedure, we carefully removed the tumor and sent it for a histopathology examination. It turned out to be a rare rhinosporidiosis. Usually, such fungal infections can occur in people living in coastal areas. Swimmers, those who work where water is stored, and those in coastal areas have more chances to get it. For those who work in the water in the fields, this micro-organism will cause tumors in either nose, eye, or throat. Sometimes, it may occur even in the bones of the leg and hand too. Rarely it even goes into the brain as well.

The patient had come to Anantapur from the own area a few years ago. This infection should have started when he was there. However, due to their financial situation, he did not go to the hospital and it became very big. At last, he came to KIMS Saveera hospital, almost with breathlessness.

As soon as we saw the tumor in the nose, we predicted that it might have been rhinosporidiosis, and in an endoscopic procedure, we successfully removed it using state-of-the-art instruments to prevent a recurrence. In the last 20 years, no such surgery has taken place in Anantapur and Kurnool districts. Moreover, doing such a rare surgery in Aarogyasri is another specialty. We have also given him tablets so that he does not face any problems in the future,” said Dr. Raghavendra Reddy.