Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis in Europe: Literature Review and Own Experience.

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is primary, Th2-mediated, chronic rhinosinusitis, which is diagnosed when the criteria defined by Bent and Khun are met. The disease is most common in countries located in the subtropical and tropical regions characterized by high temperatures and high levels of humidity, which favour the wider occurrence of fungi in the environment. The presence of specific IgE antibodies directed against fungal allergens, which is one of the diagnostic criteria, proves the systemic nature of the disease and allows one to distinguish AFRS from eosinophilic fungal rhinosinusitis. There is no unified treatment method for AFRS described in the literature, and relapses are common. Sinus surgery remains the treatment of choice. Oral and topical steroid therapy plays an important role in the treatment process. The effectiveness of antifungal treatment and immunotherapy is unclear. Biological treatment, the results of which are promising, has raised great hopes. The aim of this study was to reveal how often AFRS occurs in European countries, what environmental factors influence its development, and how important it is to specify its diagnostic criteria and treatment methods. We present an overview of the available literature. In addition, we share our own experience and describe two cases of AFRS diagnosed and treated at our centre.

What may surprise a rhinologist in everyday clinical practice: silent sinus syndrome or pneumosinus dilatans/pneumocele? Literature review and own experience.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to present rare sinus syndromes known as silent sinus syndrome (SSS) and frontal sinus syndrome with excessive pneumatization and bone defects in the wall (pneumocele). The available literature describing pneumocele cases was reviewed. METHODOLOGY: PubMed and Science Direct databases were searched by two independent reviewers. The primary outcome was finding descriptions of the sinus pneumocele. In the end, papers on frontal sinus pneumocele that was not the result of trauma, congenital defects or comorbidities were selected. Moreover, the authors presented their own cases of SSS and pneumocele. RESULTS: Twelve case reports of frontal sinus pneumocele were found, one own case was presented. In addition, 8 subjects with SSS, diagnosed and treated in the period from September 2017 to May 2022, were described. CONCLUSIONS: With the increasing number of patients suffering from sinus diseases and the growing number of endoscopic surgeries, the knowledge of rare sinus syndromes will increase the safety of the procedures performed.