Aspergillosis of the paranasal air sinuses (case reports and review of literature).

ABSTRACT

Aspergillosis of the paranasal air sinuses is a rare entity. It is endemic in Sudan and a few states in South America. It affects healthy and immunocompromised individuals alike. It presents in two forms--the invasive and non-invasive Aspergillosis. The former is difficult to distinguish from carcinoma on clinical examination. Conventional radiographs of the sinus, a CT scan evaluation and a selective culture of the sinus fluid for fungus aid in achieving a positive diagnosis. The treatment of invasive Aspergillosis is always surgical--some form of antrostomy to facilitate sinus drainage or sinus excision supplemented with topical and/or systemic anti-fungal chemotherapy. The authors report two cases of Invasive Aspergillosis, clinically type 'benign' and 'malignant' of the paranasal air sinuses, affecting non-immunocompromised individuals. In both the cases, complete surgical excision was achieved.