BACKGROUND:Rhinosporidiosis, a fungal infection due to Rhinosporidium seeberi, frequently produces polypoidal lesions in the nose. Sites like the conjunctiva, larynx, trachea, nasopharynx, skin and genitourinary tract are less frequently involved. Generalized rhinosporidiosis with skin and visceral involvement is extremely rare. This report describes the fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of rhinosporidiosis occurring as a solitary lesion with erosion of cortical bone.

CASE REPORT:FNAC of a soft tissue swelling overlying a lytic lesion on the anterior aspect of the tibia was performed in a 40-year-old male. Smears revealed numerous sporangia and spores of R seeberi. There were no mucocutaneous lesions. Histologic examination confirmed the bony involvement.

CONCLUSION:The FNAC diagnosis of rhinosporidiosis is specific. Preoperative diagnosis is possible even in cases with unusual clinical presentations.