Maxillary Sinus Mycetoma Due To Aspergillus Niger
S Zaman, D Sarma
Keywords
aspergilloma, noninvasive fungal sinusitis, sinus mycetoma
Citation
S Zaman, D Sarma. Maxillary Sinus Mycetoma Due To Aspergillus Niger. The Internet Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. 2006 Volume 6 Number 1.
Abstract
Fungal infections of the paranasal sinuses are uncommon and usually occur in immunocompromised individuals. The most common pathogens are from the
Introduction
Fungal infections of the paranasal sinuses are uncommon and usually occur in immunocompromised individuals (1). Infection is usually suspected upon reviewing the CT scan result. The most common pathogens are from
Case Report
An 83-year-old man presented with a 9-month history of chronic sinus problem and right nasal obstruction. The discomfort associated with the obstruction had progressed to a constant dull pain in the right cheek. He had been treated several times with antibiotics for his sinus infections, but experienced no resolution of his symptoms. A computed tomographic scan (Fig. 1) of his sinuses revealed extensive paranasal sinus disease with complete opacification of the right maxillary sinus abutting the nasal septum, along with dehiscence of the inferolateral and anteroinferior right maxillary sinus wall. The patient underwent a right ethmoidotomy, maxillary sinusotomy with removal of sinus contents, and left maxillary sinusotomy with removal of sinus contents. A portion of the fragmented mass from the right maxillary sinus was sent for frozen section to rule out malignancy.
Gross examination revealed multiple fragments of pink to tan tissue measuring 2.0 x 1.5 x 0.3 cm in aggregate. Microscopically, hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed the presence of a mycelium with septate hyphae branching at 45 degrees and associated conidial (fruiting) heads (Figs. 2 and 3). Some of the hyphae showed brown-black pigment (Fig. 4). There was refractile material in the tissue that on polarization revealed numerous birefringent calcium oxalate crystals (Fig. 5). The nasal epithelial tissue was free of significant inflammation, granuloma or invading hyphae leading to a diagnosis of non-invasive sinus mycetoma.
Fungal culture did not grow any organisms. Speciation of the fungus was done by examination of the morphology of the hyphae and the conidial heads, and pigmentation noted on histologic sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin.
Comment
This patient presented with findings on computed tomography scan of complete opacification of the right maxillary sinus abutting the nasal septum, raising the possibility of a neoplasm. Pathologic evaluation of the resected sample revealed a mycetoma with no evidence of invasion.
Fungal culture did not grow any organisms. The culture yield of an
The association of aspergillosis and oxalosis was first reported by Nime and Hutchins in 1973 (3). Oxalic acid is a mycotoxin produced by
Surgical removal and establishment of sinus aeration resolves this condition without further treatment in most individuals. When invasion occurs in a mycetoma, the syndrome of chronic invasive fungal sinusitis occurs (6). Our patient had no evidence of invasion, and five months after surgical treatment, he remains free of recurrence.
Correspondence to
Deba P. Sarma, M.D. Department of Pathology Creighton University Medical Center Omaha, NE 68131 E-mail: debasarma@creighton.edu