[Imaging charateristics of bony erosion and fungal culture analysis in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis].

Objective:To investigate the imaging characteristics of bony erosion, fungal culture and related factors in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS). Method:Sixty cases of AFRS were reviewed in this study. The characteristics of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging including positive rate of bony erosion, eroded sites, disease extension and sinus expansion were summarized. Fungal culture and identification of nasal secretion were done. The correlation between the degree of sinus expansion, species of fungi and bony erosion was evaluated by statistical analysis. Result:Of the 60 patients, 18 (30%) had bony erosion. There was a significant difference in the proportion of bone erosion among the sinuses (P<0.05). The most commonly eroded site was the ethmoid sinus. The orbit were the most common adjacent anatomic spaces to exhibit disease extension, and anterior cranial fossa is the second most common. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association(P<0.05)of bone erosion with sinus expansion. The positive rate of fungal culture was 51.3%, among which the most common is Aspergillus. Statistical analysis shows no association(P>0.05)of bone erosion with specific fungi. Conclusion:Bone erosion is an important imaging feature of AFRS. Bone erosion may cause by sinus expansion. Extension of disease into the orbit or intracranial cavity results from a natural progression of disease after erosion occurs. Specific fungal species that can cause bone erosion was found.