Rhinosporidiosis Masquerading as a Leg Mass: A Case Report

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, most commonly involving the nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa. It is endemic in certain regions, including South Asia, and typically presents as polypoidal lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract. We report a rare case of a 33-year-old male from Janakpur, Nepal, who presented with a four-monthhistory of progressive swelling over the lateral aspect of his left leg. Extra-nasal manifestations of rhinosporidiosis are exceptionally uncommon and often lead to diagnostic dilemmas due to their nonspecific clinical appearance. In the absence of classical nasal involvement, such presentations may be misdiagnosed as benign or malignant soft tissue tumors. This case highlights the need for a high index of suspicion and inclusion of rhinosporidiosis in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue masses, particularly in endemic areas, even when the lesion occurs at atypical sites such as the lower extremities.