A Case of Allergic Fungal Sinusitis / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) has been clinicopathologically defined as a noninvasive form of fungal infection. AFS was first reported in 1983. The first case of AFS was associated with Aspergillus, but recently other fungal organisms have been implicated. AFS should be suspected in any atopic patients with refractory nasal polyps. Sinus computed tomograms and magnetic resonance imaging findings can be quite distinctive, but definite diagnosis requires histopathologic examination which shows characteristic allergic mucin. Current recommendations for therapy include conservative but complete exenteration of all allergic mucin. Adjunctive systemic steroids are often helpful. The authors present a case of allergic fungal sinusitis for the first time in Korea. The patient had nasal polyp and showed hypersitivity to fungus in RAST, elevation of total IgE, peripheral eosinophilia. On histopathologic examination, typical allergic mucin including Charcot-Leyden crystals, eosinophils and fungal hyphae were found.