Fungal sinusitis occurs as airborne fungi adhere to the mucous
membranes of the nasal
cavity and sinuses through respiratory inhalation. Fungal
sinusitis manifests in various forms
from simple irritation of nasal sinus mucosa to life-threatening
diseases. Fungal sinusitis may
be asymptomatic, the symptoms of fungal sinusitis include
purulent rhinorrhea, facial pain
and postnasal drip. Diagnosis of fungal sinusitis through nasal
endoscopy is notably difficult.
In computed tomography, fungal sinusitis is characterized by
observations such as
calcifications, heterogenous soft tissue density lesions, and
periosteal thickening. The
treatment is the endoscopic removal of fungal ball completely
widening the sinus ostium. The
sphenoid sinus, being the closest paranasal structure to the
skull base, requires attention
due to its adjacency to vital structures like the internal
carotid artery and optic nerve.
Preoperative imaging scrutiny and a meticulous surgical strategy
should precede the
treatment involving the sphenoid sinus. The author represents a
successful case of the
sphenoid fungal sinusitis patient of high-risk systemic disease
with old age under local
anesthesia. |