Fatal Airway Obstruction in Rhinoscleroma: The First Documented Case Report from Ethiopia and a Clinical Lesson in Early Airway Risk Assessment

Rhinoscleroma is a rare, chronic granulomatous infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis . While endemic in certain parts of the world, it remains poorly recognized in non-endemic regions, often leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. We report a fatal case in a middle-aged Ethiopian woman, representing the first documented instance from the country. She presented with progressive nasal obstruction, purulent discharge, and a disfiguring facial lesion. Despite histopathological confirmation and initiation of targeted antibiotic therapy, the patient developed sudden airway obstruction and died within 24 hours. The disease progressed to obstructive laryngeal involvement, highlighting the importance of early recognition,airway preparedness and interventions in suspected cases of advanced rhinoscleroma.