A CASE OF OZENA IN A REFUGEE CAMP MIGRANT

Ozena is a type of primary atrophic rhinitis caused by the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp. ozaenae. A 45-year-old female patient who had migrated from Syria to Türkiye presented with complaints of foul-smelling rhinorrhea and persistent nasal crusting for several years. On examination, abundant yellow-green crusts, enlarged nasal cavities, and atrophic turbinates and mucosa were observed in both nasal passages. Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp. ozaenae was isolated in the nasal tissue culture. The patient was hospitalized and treated with ceftriaxone and metronidazole for two weeks, as these antibiotics were found to be effective based on culture results. Nasal irrigation with physiological saline and glycerin-based moisturizer was recommended. Additionally, daily nasal crust removal was performed using an endoscope. After discharge, the patient was prescribed ceftriaxone 1 g IM twice daily for two weeks. Regular follow-ups were recommended for the recovering patient.We present this case because the condition is relatively unknown and often diagnosed late.