Surgical and pathogenetic considerations of frontal sinus fungus ball.

Fungus ball (FB) is an non-invasive form of mycosis, that generally affects immunocompetent and non-atopic subjects. Involvement of the frontal sinus is extremely rare. We report two cases with frontal sinus fungus ball that underwent endoscopic endonasal frontal Draf type IIb or III sinusotomy with complete removal of the cheesy clay-like material. There were no intra-operative or postoperative complications, and no recurrence of disease was evident during the follow-up of 51 and 26 months, respectively. The Draf type IIb or type III frontal sinusotomy seems to be highly effective for the treatment of frontal sinus FB and can represent a valid alternative to the traditional external approaches.

Unexpected brain finding in pre-autopsy postmortem CT.

A case is presented in which pre-autopsy postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) revealed an unexpected brain abscess with a related frontal sinusitis and an erosion of the posterior wall of the frontal sinus. PMCT findings enabled the forensic pathologists to adapt protective measures during autopsy and protect their health from infection. Pre-autopsy PMCT has been also useful in the early differential diagnosis procedure. The complementary use of postmortem imaging and autopsy can improve the quality of forensic death investigations.

Arcanobacterium hemolyticum orbital cellulitis: a rare but aggressive disease.

The clinical presentation and course of orbital cellulitis in a young adult resulting from Arcanobacterium hemolyticum frontal sinusitis are presented in detail. This case illustrates the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for refractory and aggressive orbital cellulitis. A high level of suspicion for A. hemolyticum must be maintained in such cases, because it has proven to be a rare but aggressive, potentially occult, and life-threatening pathogen.

The pediatric headache that would not go away.

We describe the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, management, and outcome of a subdural empyema in a 14-year-old male with history of recent partially treated acute sinusitis. Subdural empyema is a rare but life threatening complication, usually following paranasal sinusitis, otitis media, mastoiditis, cranial surgery, a skull fracture, or from distant spread from sites such as a pulmonary infection. The initial evaluation should include a thorough history and physical examination, complete blood count, electrolytes, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, chest x-ray, urinalysis, and neuroimaging of the brain with intravenous contrast. If a subdural empyema is identified, then intravenous antibiotics should be initiated, and immediate neurosurgical consultation should be obtained to consider operative drainage.

Trephination of the frontal sinuses and instillation of clotrimazole cream: a computed tomographic study in canine cadavers.

OBJECTIVE: To use computed tomography (CT) to assess the distribution of surgically administered clotrimazole cream and associated filling of the frontal sinuses and caudal aspect of the nasal cavities in canine cadavers. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. ANIMALS: Small (n = 1) and medium-large (n = 11) breed canine cadavers. METHODS: CT scans of 12 cadaveric canine heads were used to confirm absence of sinonasal disease. Then after creating an opening into the left and right frontal sinuses with a 3.2 mm Steinmann pin at standardized landmarks, clotrimazole cream (20 g) was instilled into each side. Postoperative CT scans of the heads was used to assess the distribution and degree of filling of the sinonasal cavities with clotrimazole cream, and to identify any damage to local structures. RESULTS: Filling was excellent in 22 sinuses, very poor in 2, and excellent in all caudal nasal cavities. Two cadavers had damage: unilateral penetration of the cranium (2) and unilateral penetration of the lateral sinus wall (1). CONCLUSION: Excellent filling of most of the frontal sinuses and caudal nasal cavity of cadavers with clotrimazole cream is achieved when administered by this technique. Damage to local structures may occur intraoperatively using this technique.

Pott puffy tumor appearing with a frontocutaneous fistula.

Pott puffy tumor is defined as a forehead-localized swelling with overlying subperiosteal abscess and osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. It is an uncommon disease entity and more rarely reported with its frontocutaneous fistula. We report the unusual case of Pott puffy tumor appearing with a frontocutaneous fistula. We performed a frontal sinus surgery using a combined endonasal and percutaneous approach and frontal bone reconstruction with a resorbable mesh plate and bone cement. During a follow-up 1 year after the surgery, there was no recurrence, and we achieved excellent result from the aesthetic point of view.

Maxillary odontogenic sinusitis, complicated with cerebral abscess--case report.

Maxillary sinus inflammation, when untreated or incorrectly treated, may extend locoregionally, the remaining paranasal sinuses being the first affected anatomical structures. This is why the understanding of the inflammatory pathology of the maxillary sinus, and particularly of the complications it can generate, is extremely important. The purpose of this presentation is to point out that inflammations of the paranasal sinuses are susceptible to develop complications in certain conditions and threaten the patient's life due to the proximity of vital structures. This is the case of a 16 years old male patient who developed a left maxillary and frontal sinusitis, complicated with cerebral abscess. Early detection, multidisciplinary approach and proper indication of surgical treatment, as well as early suspicion of complication, especially in young male adolescents, are extremely important.

[Pott's puffy tumor--a rare complication of frontal sinusitis]. / "Pott's puffy"-tuumori--otsaontelotulehduksen harvinainen komplikaatio.

Pott's puffy tumor is an extremely rare complication of frontal sinusitis. It is most typically found in young men. Streptococci, staphylococci or anaerobic bacteria are usually the causative agents. In our patients the inflammation was caused by Streptococcus milleri and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The treatment should be started with broad-spectrum antibiotics. The antibiotics are administered intravenously for 1 to 2 weeks and thereafter orally for at least four weeks. Paranasal sinuses must be operated, and if necessary, intracranial abscesses are treated neurosurgically.

[A new method for the treatment of acute frontitis in the adult patients].

The objective of the study is to estimate the efficacy of Bioparox (fusafungine) when used for the treatment of the adult patients presenting with acute frontitis. Twenty two of the 45 patients with this condition were given adjuvant therapy using this preparation. It resulted in a decrease of the concentration of Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis to 10 CFU/ml and 500 CFU/ml respectively. S. haemoliticus was completely eradicated. The concentrations of these microorganisms in patients of the control group were higher. The level of interleukin 1-beta in the secretion within 5 days after the onset of therapy was twice lower than in the patients of control group. The concentration of IL 1-beta in the serum of the treated with Bioparox patients was 4 pg/ml compared with 8 pg/ml in the control group. The efficacy of therapy of acute frontitis with fusafungine was confirmed in the X-ray study. It is concluded that the use of Bioparox for the management of acute frontitis increases the efficacy of the treatment and result in the marked improvement of the patients' condition within 5 days after the onset of therapy.

Medical management versus surgical intervention of pediatric orbital cellulitis: the importance of subperiosteal abscess volume as a new criterion.

PURPOSE: To investigate age and frontal sinusitis as indications for the surgical management of pediatric orbital cellulitis with subperiosteal abscess (SPA) and to create an SPA volume criterion that would favor nonsurgical management. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to find all patients age 18 years and younger who presented to Hasbro Children's Hospital with orbital cellulitis secondary to sinusitis with an SPA from 2005 to 2009. SPA volume was measured using a CT ruler at the largest axial, coronal, and sagittal dimensions. Student t testing was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were included: 8 (27.6%) were managed surgically and 21 (72.4%) were managed medically. The mean age of patients undergoing surgical management was 7.0 years old versus medical management 6.1 years old and was statistically similar (p < 0.001). The age range of patients undergoing surgical management was 17 months to 11 years versus 4 months to 13.4 years for medical management. The mean volume of abscesses needing surgery were larger (3,446.3 mm) than abscesses not needing surgery (420.5 mm) (p < 0.04). Volumes of <1,250 mm did not require surgical management (p < 0.001). The frontal sinuses were visualized on CT scan in 17 patients; frontal sinusitis was found in 11 of 17 (64.7%) patients; of these 11 patients, 4 (36.4%) underwent surgical drainage and only 2 (18.2%) showed positive culture results. The 2 (18.2%) patients who had positive culture results had an SPA volume that was ≥ 1,250 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The volume of SPA seemed to be the most important criterion in determining medical versus surgical management. The volumes of abscesses needing surgery were larger than the volumes of abscesses not needing surgery. Volumes of <1,250 mm did not require surgical management. Most cases of SPA with concurrent frontal sinusitis do not require surgical intervention. The cases of frontal sinusitis requiring surgical intervention always had concurrent SPA volumes of ≥ 1,250 mm. Patients both under 9 years old and ≥ 9 years old required surgical intervention with SPA volumes of <1,250 mm being a consistent determining factor.

[Pott's Puffy tumor: a forgotten complication of sinusitis]. / Tumor hinchado de Pott: una complicación olvidada de la sinusitis.

Pott's puffy tumor is a rare entity characterized by a swelling of the scalp due to a subperiosteal abscess associated to osteomyelitis in the frontal bone. It is often associated with a complication of frontal sinusitis or trauma. Undiagnosed or partially treated frontal sinusitis can lead to Pott's puffy tumor, which requires rapid medical and surgical intervention to prevent complications that increase morbidity and mortality. Since the advent of antibiotics, Pott's puffy tumor has become rare to the point of almost being forgotten. We present a case of Pott's puffy tumor in a 15-year-old boy. This case is even more unusual because the tumor became complicated with orbital and intracranial involvement. The findings at computed tomography provided the key to the diagnosis in this patient.

Pott's puffy tumor in a premature neonate: the new youngest case reported in the post-antibiotic era.

An extreme premature infant born at 25 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) presented at PMA of 32 weeks with non-multiresistant methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Pott's puffy tumor (PPT) involving both orbital and intracranial extension is described here. This is the youngest case of PPT ever reported in the antibiotic era.

Isolated fronto-ethmoidal allergic fungal rhinosinusitis: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: Fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) is a clinical entity characterized by the presence of fungi within sino-nasal cavities that may occur in patients with normal or defective immunity. Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a form of non-invasive FRS that affects patients with an abnormal immuno-mediated response to fungal antigens. This article describes a case of isolated fronto-ethmoidal AFRS. METHODS: A 20-year old male patient presented with a history of a left nasal respiratory obstruction and allergic oculorhinitis. CT scans showed a polypoid mass in the left nasal cavity and opacification of the left ethmoid sinus, frontal recess and frontal sinus with hyperdense component. The patient underwent functional endonasal sinus surgery (FESS) with removal of nasal polyps from the left nasal cavity and of cheesy-like material and dense mucus from the left ethmoid and frontal sinus. Histological examination showed presence of fungal hyphae within the allergic mucus; a diagnosis of AFRS was made. RESULTS: Follow up at 14 months showed no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The AFRS case reported herein is characterized by isolated unilateral fronto-ethmoid involvement, a rare presentation. Endoscopic nasal treatment was effective with complete patient recovery. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Orbital abscess as a complication of Pott's puffy tumour in an adolescent male.

Pott's puffy tumour (PPT) is a known complication of frontal sinusitis. It is defined as subperiosteal abscess formation due to osteomyelitis of the frontal bone presenting as a forehead swelling. It is a life-threatening condition that can lead to intracranial and intraorbital complications. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI and contrast CT scan are the best modalities to localise and define the collection, in addition to confirming disease extension. Once confirmed by imaging and depending on disease extension, management of PPT requires a multidisciplinary team approach and depends on the local provision of surgical care. Following surgical drainage of the abscess cavity, a prolonged course of antibiotics is required postoperatively to treat the underlying osteomyelitis.

Fine needle aspiration in aspergilloma of frontal sinus: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The increased incidence of fungal diseases in humans is most likely due to indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and increased numbers of immunocompromised patients. Although Aspergillus species are ubiquitous and normally nonpathogenic, they can be opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised individuals. CASE: A 22-year-old immunocompetent man presented with a gradually increasing subcutaneous swelling near the root of his nose for previous 6 months. The mass was soft to firm, solid, nontender and immobile. There was no superficial skin ulceration and no local signs of inflammation. Proptosis of the left eye was present without any visual impairment. An osteolytic lesion that was contiguous with the subcutaneous mass, with the opacities of both the fontal sinuses was observed radiographically. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) demonstrated presence of branching hyphae in the cytoplasm of multinucleated giant cells along with mixed inflammatory cells. The species was identified by culture in Sabouraud's agar with chloramphenicol and wet mount with lactophenol cotton blue stain. CONCLUSION: Aspergillosis can remain dormant over a long period. Although uncommon, it can occur in immunocompetent patients. FNA is a very useful tool in establishing the diagnosis

Pott's puffy tumor.

Pott's Puffy tumor is a rare clinical entity characterized by subperiosteal abscess associated with osteomyelitis. It is usually seen as a complication of frontal sinusitis or trauma predominantly in the adolescent age group. Pott's Puffy tumor can be associated with cortical vein thrombosis, epidural abscess, subdural empyema, and brain abscess. The cause of vein thrombosis is explained by venous derange of the frontal sinus, which occurs through diplopic veins, which communicate with the dural venous plexus; septic thrombi can potentially evolve from foci within the frontal sinus and propagate through this venous system. An apparently healthy 7-year-old girl presented to the emergency service of otolaryngology with complaints of swelling of forehead and periorbital zone, headache, chills, fever, and rhinorrhea. The patient described in this case report had 2 important complications of paranasal sinus disease: the relatively common complication of postseptal cellulites and the less common complication of Pott's Puffy tumor.

Isolated frontal sinusitis due to Pseudallescheria boydii.

We report a case of recurrent sino-nasal fungal infection due to Pseudallescheria boydii (P. boydii) in a 33-year-old diabetic woman. It is very essential to identify P. boydii, as Miconazole is the only antifungal drug of choice. However, histological examination of the specimen for clinching clues such as intercalary conidia and chlamydoconidia plays an important role in identifying P. boydii, when fungal culture fails to yield the growth. On follow-up, the woman responded for the treatment with Miconazole and is free of symptoms, with no recurrence after 6 months.

Minimally invasive treatment of sino-nasal aspergillosis in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Sino-nasal aspergillosis is a common nasal disease in dogs. Recommended treatment protocols typically involve trephination of the frontal sinuses or the use of an antifungal solution instilled into the frontal sinus under anesthesia, both of which have associated morbidity and complications. OBJECTIVES: To assess a minimally-invasive topical treatment protocol for sino-nasal aspergillosis in dogs. ANIMALS: Twelve client-owned dogs diagnosed with sino-nasal aspergillosis that completed recommended treatment. METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify dogs with sino-nasal aspergillosis that received treatment. Fungal plaques were manually debrided and irrigated via frontal sinuscopy in 12 dogs that then were treated topically with 1% topical clotrimazole cream. Irrigation and topical medication application was achieved using a catheter placed retrograde directly into the frontal sinuses using the Seldinger technique over a guidewire, thereby avoiding the need for frontal sinus trephination. Invasion into the calvarium was recorded before treatment but was not considered a criterion for exclusion. Debridement and cream deposition was repeated every 2 weeks as needed until negative culture and histopathologic findings were obtained. RESULTS: All dogs were cured (negative results for Aspergillus on endoscopy, fungal culture, and histopathology) with a median of 2 treatments. Treatments were well tolerated, with minimal adverse effects reported. Three dogs had evidence of erosion into the calvarium on computed tomography imaging. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This protocol appears to be an effective and well-tolerated minimally invasive treatment for sino-nasal aspergillosis, including in dogs with erosion into the calvarium. Only mild adverse effects were noted.