Aspergillus sinusitis

Aspergillus sinusitis has several distinct clinical manifestations, which are determined by the presence or absence of tissue invasion as well as the host's response to the fungus. Most, but not all fungal sinusitis is caused by Aspergillus organisms. This section on Aspergillus sinusitis utilizes the currently accepted classification scheme for categorising fungal rhinosinusitis. An aspergilloma (fungal ball) is a non-invasive mycelial mass of Aspergillus that accumulates in a paranasal sinus. Surgery is usually curative and no adjunctive antifungal therapy is required. Allergic Aspergillus sinusitis is a common form of Aspergillus sinusitis. The disease is pathologically similar to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and usually develops in young atopic adults. Chronic invasive fungal sinusitis is the most poorly characterised form of fungal sinusitis. This condition may mimic a variety of inflammatory and neoplastic conditions that affect the nose and sinuses. Critical to diagnosis is the identification of tissue-invasive fungal hyphae. Acute invasive fungal sinusitis is the most severe manifestation of fungal sinusitis. Affected individuals are usually immunocompromised, and there is a high mortality rate despite medical and surgical therapy.