A rare case of Coniochaetta hoffmannii fungus ball in an immunocompetent host

INTRODUCTION@#Fungal balls are commonly associated with the Aspergillus species. The hyaline hyphae is not diagnostic of a fungus ball's causative organism hence the need for fungal culture. Systemic fungal infections are rarely seen in immunocompetent persons.@*CASE@#A 45-year-old male presented with a nine month history of nonproductive cough progressing to hemoptysis. His chest tomography with contrast revealed a mass measuring 6.5cm x 5.5cm x 6.9cm located in the left upper lobe, with a smooth lining and air crescent sign consistent with aspergilloma. Serum galactomannan assay was positive. Patient was treated medically for Aspergillus sp infection with voriconazole and itraconazole for six months with no response. A left upper lobectomy was done. Lung tissue biopsy and histopathologic examination showed hyphal elements with branching short lateral necks. Culture studies revealed a rare microorganism namely Coniochaetta hoffmannii. Post-operatively, our patient improved and was eventually discharged.@*DISCUSSION@#Coniochaetta hoffmannii is a rare human pathogen and is only implicated in those immunocompromised. Thorough clinical investigation led to the identification of this organism. Literature review reveals scant inconclusive treatment approaches. Surgical intervention proved therapeutic for our patient.@*CONCLUSION@#Not all fungal balls are caused by Aspergillus sp. Culture studies remains the gold standard in identifying specific organism causing fungus balls. Rare micro-organisms such as Coniochaeta hoffmanii. can be isolated. Invasive fungal infection can occur in an immunocompetent host. The outcome of this study will contribute to the limited pool of information on the diagnosis and management of similar cases.

MR Findings of Fungus Ball: Significance of High Signal Intensity on T1-Weighted Images

Bola fúngica de cavidades paranasales: serie de casos / Fungus ball of the paranasal sinuses: case series

RESUMEN Introducción La bola fúngica (BF) es una sinusitis fúngica no invasiva, con acumulación extramucosa de conglomerados densos de hifas de hongos en cavidades paranasales (CPN), afectando generalmente a mujeres inmunocompetentes. Objetivo Describir la presentación cínica, diagnóstico y tratamiento de una serie de pacientes con diagnóstico de BF de CPN. Material y método Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de pacientes con diagnóstico histopatológico de BF sometidos a cirugía endoscópica nasal (CEN) en nuestra institución entre 2010 y 2016. Resultados Se incluyeron 20 pacientes (15 mujeres, 5 hombres), con edad promedio al diagnóstico de 64 años (35-86 años), la mayoría inmunocompetente (85%). El síntoma más frecuente fue dolor facial (8/20). Todos los pacientes fueron estudiados con tomografia computarizada (TC) de CPN, presentando calcificaciones en 70%. La ubicación más frecuente fue el seno maxilar (12/20) y luego esfenoidal (6/20). Se realizó CEN en todos los pacientes, combinándolo con Caldwell Luc en 3 de ellos. Los cultivos intraoperatorios resultaron negativos en el 75% de los pacientes. Conclusión La BF tiene presentación cínica inespecifica. Se sospecha en base a hallazgos imagenológicos en la TC de CPN y se confirma histopatológicamente, dado el bajo rendimiento de los cultivos. La CEN es la herramienta diagnóstico-terapéutica de elección, con baja tasa de recidiva local.

ABSTRACT Introduction A fungus ball (FB) is a non-invasive fungal sinusitis, consisting of extramucosal accumulation of dense fungal hyphae conglomerates, located in paranasal sinuses. It generally affects immunocompetent women. Aim To describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment in a series of patients diagnosed with FB of paranasal sinuses. Material and method Retrospective descriptive study regarding all patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of FB, who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in our institution between 2010 and 2016. Results Twenty patients (15 women, 5 men) were included, with a mean age at diagnosis of 64 years (35-86 years). Most were immunocompetent (85%). Facial pain was the most frequent symptom (8/20). All patients were studied with a sinus CT, finding paranasal calcifications in 70%. It predominantly involved the maxillary (12/20), and sphenoid sinus (6/20). All patients were treated with ESS, with a combined Caldwell Luc approach in only 3 of them. Intraoperative cultures were negative in 75% of patients. Conclusions Sinus FB has a non-specific clinical presentation. CT findings help suspect it, and it is confirmed with a histopathological study, given the poor efficiency of cultures. ESS is the diagnostic-therapeutic procedure of choice, with a low local recurrence rate.

Pulmonary Histoplasmosis Identified by Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) Biopsy: a Case Report

Histoplasmosis is a common endemic mycosis in North, Central, and South America, but Korea is not known as an endemic area. We treated an immunocompetent Korean patient who had histoplasmosis. A 65-year-old Korean man presented with multiple pulmonary clumps of tiny nodules in the both lungs. He had been diagnosed 40 years earlier with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and a fungus ball had been diagnosed 4 years earlier. He denied any history of overseas travel. The patient visited our hospital with dyspnea, blood-tinged sputum, and weight loss, which had appeared 2 months earlier. The patient underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lung biopsy. The biopsy sample showed necrotizing granuloma and the presence of multiple small yeast-like fungi. Tissue culture confirmed Histoplasma capsulatum, and he was finally diagnosed with pulmonary histoplasmosis. Therapy was initiated with 200 mg itraconazole orally once per day. The symptoms disappeared 1 week after the start of treatment. After 4 months, low-dose chest computed tomography showed improvement in the ground glass opacity and size of the lung lesions. In conclusion, we report a case of an immunocompetent patient who developed histoplasmosis in Korea. When a patient shows unexplainable progressive infiltrative lung lesions, histoplasmosis should be considered as one of differential diagnoses although Korea is not an endemic area.

Colonização intracavitária pulmonar por Aspergillus: análise de 190 casos / Pulmonary intracavitary colonization by Aspergillus: analysis of 190 cases

A colonização intracavitária pulmonar aspergilar (CIPA) é caracterizada pela presença de massa miceliana de crescimento endocavitário. O agente mais frequente é o Aspergillus fumigatus, e a lesão cavitária é geralmente sequela de tuberculose e curada com história de hemoptise de repetição e baciloscopia negativa. Os autores analisaram retrospectivamente 190 casos de CIPA, entre abril de 1978 e março de 2008, no Serviço de Arquivo Médico do Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley e no Complexo Hospitalar Clementino Fraga, enfatizando a incidência, forma de apresentação clínica, enfermidades associadas, métodos, diagnósticos e conduta terapêutica.

The colonized intrapulmonary aspergilloma (CIPA) is characterized by the mass fungal in a existing pulmonary cavity, where the most commonly agent is the Aspergillus fumigatus. The pulmonary cavity is often result cured pulmonary tuberculosis with hemoptisis repletion history and bacilloscopy negative. The authors analyzed retrospectively 190 cases of CIPA from April 1978 to March 2008 in the University Hospital Lauro Wanderley and Hospital Complex Clementino Fraga emphasizing the incidence, clinical evolution, illness association, diagnosis method and treatment.

Rhinolith Arising from Fungus Ball in the Nasal Cavity

A rhinolith is a mineralized and calcareous mass that arise secondarily to the complete or partial encrustation of intranasal foreign bodies. The foreign body is usually exogenous in origin. Less commonly, endogenous foreign material can form the nidus of the rhinolith. Only one case of rhinolith originating from fungus ball that acts as the nidus has been reported in the nasal cavity. We recently experienced a case of rhinolith arising from fungus ball in the nasal cavity. A 14-year-old female suffered from left purulent and bloody rhinorrhea. An irregular, hard, and dark-brown pigmented lesion was observed in the left nasal cavity. It was removed by endoscopic surgery and pathologically revealed the rhinolith and confirmed the presence of a coexistent fungal nidus. Therefore, we present this rare case of rhinolith arising from fungus ball and discuss its disease entity.

What is the Relationship between the Localization of Maxillary Fungal Balls and Intranasal Anatomic Variations?

OBJECTIVES: Although the mechanisms underlying the initiation and maintenance of inflammation in unilateral maxillary fungal balls (FBs) are poorly understood, the relationship between intranasal anatomy and maxillary FB is thought to play an important role. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anatomic variations and FB. METHODS: We enrolled 140 patients who were composed of 56 patients with FB, 56 patients with unilateral chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and 28 patients with no sinus disease. Computed tomography scans were retrospectively analyzed to identify and compare the associated nasal anatomic abnormalities. To measure the volume of the nasal cavity and middle meatus, computed tomography scans were reconstructed into three-dimensional images. RESULTS: The relatively larger volume of the middle meatus was associated with the localization of the FB in contrast with the CRS. However, the nasal-cavity volume, nasal valve area, and nasal septal deviation were not significantly associated with localization of FB. The mean volumetric and areal measurements such as nasal cavity, middle meatus, and nasal valve in FB-ipsilateral sides were not significantly different from those in contralateral sides as well as other groups. CONCLUSION: The middle meatus bears the major part of the inspiratory nasal airflow, and its volume may influence the occurrence of FB.

A Case of Supernumerary Tooth within Fungus Ball in the Maxillary Sinus / 대한이비인후과학회지

The ectopic eruption of a supernumerary tooth can occur in the sinonasal area, but due to its rarity, few cases of ectopic tooth eruption in the maxillary sinus have been reported. A fungus ball in the paranasal sinuses usually involves just one sinus, most frequently the maxillary sinus. Here, the authors present a case of an ectopic supernumerary tooth embedded in a fungus ball of the maxillary sinus.

Clinical Features of Bilateral Paranasal Sinus Fungus Ball

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Paranasal sinus fungus balls occur usually in a single sinus, most frequently the maxillary sinus. The goal of this study was to delineate the clinical features of a bilateral paranasal sinus fungus ball. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed seven patients who presented with a bilateral sinus fungus ball and who received endoscopic sinus surgery between July 2004 and January 2009. We analyzed age, gender, chief complaint, associated symptoms, nasal endoscopic findings, ostiomeatal unit (OMU) computed tomography (CT) results, and surgical findings. RESULT: The male to female ratio was 1:6, and the age range was from 40 to 76 years. The chief complaints were nasal obstruction in three patients, foul odour in two, postnasal dripping in one, and cheek pain in one patient. Calcification of the paranasal sinus upon CT was observed in three cases (43%). A fungus ball was found in the maxillary sinus or middle meatus in all cases. CONCLUSION: Bilateral paranasal sinus fungus balls usually involve the bilateral maxillary sinus or middle meatus and often invade the anterior ethmoid sinus or frontal sinus.

Fungus ball in HIV-infected patients / Bola fúngica em pacientes HIV-infectados

Aspergillus is a phagocyte opportunistic fungus that causes aspergillosis, an unusual disease in patients with AIDS. Six cases of fungal ball in patients with AIDS are reported here. In this group, all patients had hemoptysis and tuberculosis as the underlying lung disease. The diagnosis of pulmonary fungus ball was based on the clinical and radiographic feature, combined with serological and mycological evidence of Aspergillus fumigatus.

Os fungos filamentosos são oportunistas de fagócitos, motivo pelo qual aspergilose é incomum em pacientes com Aids. A apresentação clínica depende do estado imune, tamanho do inóculo fúngico e doença de base. São relatados neste trabalho seis casos de bola fúngica em pacientes com Aids. Neste grupo, todos tiveram tuberculose como doença de base e hemoptise foi o principal sintoma. O diagnóstico da bola fúngica foi através da apresentação clínica, achados radiológicos combinados com imunodifusão radial dupla, exame micológico direto e cultivo do material do trato respiratório, sendo A. fumigatus o agente isolado

Blindness Secondary to Sphenoid Fungus Ball

The close vicinity of the optic nerve to the sphenoid sinus may cause visual loss in the sphenoid fungus ball. We present a case of blindness secondary to sphenoid fungus ball without any evidence of orbital invasion in imaging studies. A 61-year-old man, suffering from uncomplicated diabetes, was referred for right visual loss that developed 1 day ago. He perceived hand motion on the right. CT and MRI revealed a fungus ball in the right sphenoid sinus. However, there was no evidence of orbital invasion. Endoscopic sphenoethmoidectomy was performed to remove the fungus ball. Systemic mega-dose steroid and amphotericin B were started because he lost the light perception 3 days after surgery. Biopsy revealed aspergillus fungus ball and no evidence of mucosal invasion. However, blindness was not reversed. Evidence of orbital invasion in imaging diagnosis is elusive in sphenoid fungus ball; therefore, systemic antifungal treatment should be initiated and early endoscopic sphenoidotomy should be performed in case of rapidly progressing visual loss, especially in diabetic or immunocompromised patients. Mega-dose steroid therapy for optic neuropathy should be selective because it may aggravate underlying systemic diseases to cause early termination of systemic antifungal treatment.

A Case of Tracheal Diverticula in a Hemoptysis Patient with Tuberculosis Sequela and Fungus Ball / 결핵및호흡기질환

We experienced a rare case of trachea diverticula combined with the sequela of tuberculosis and a fungus ball. The patient had complained of coughing and hemoptysis for a long time after experiencing tuberculosis. He was admitted due to hemoptysis and the aggravation of coughing. The CT scan showed a variable sized trachea diverticula combined with tuberculosis sequela and a fungus ball in the right lung fields. The diagnosis was made by bronchoscopy and a CT scan. After bronchial artery embolization and conservative treatment, the patient's symptoms improved and the patient was discharged.

Fungal Ball in Sinus: Multi-Center Study in Daegu

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fungal sinusitis has been reported increasingly in immunocompetent patients and the fungus ball is the most frequent and best recognized form of fungal sinusitis. Fungus ball is usually unresponsive to appropriate medical treatment and surgery is the treatment of choice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence, clinical symptoms and signs, and CT findings, the proportion of the patients with fungus ball. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In retrospective study, we reviewed medical records and CT findings of 255 patients with fungus ball confirmed by histopathologically among 6,217 patients who had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery between 1995 and 2004 at five medical centers in Daegu. RESULTS: The symptoms of fungus ball were nasal obstruction (64.4%), rhinorrhea (56.7%), PND (49.2%), cheek pain (26.4%) and foul odor (25.1%). Fungus ball was mostly encountered in only one maxillary sinus (76.4%) of an otherwise healthy person and preoperative computerized tomography (CT) revealed mottled calcific densities within the involved sinus in 55.2% of cases. The success rate of fungus ball surgery by endoscopy was 98.4%. CONCLUSION: This is the retrospective study to evaluate the prevalence of fungus ball (nearly 5%) among the endoscopic sinus surgery. To make a diagnosis of fungus ball, a high index of suspicion to unilateral symptomatic chronic sinusitis, often painful, unresponsive to appropriate medical treatment is necessary and endoscopic sinus surgery is and should remain the mainstay of treatment.

Emphysematous Cystitis with Fungus Ball / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Genitourinary fungal infections are uncommon, but the incidence is increasing due to the wider use of antibiotics, steroids, radiating treatment, immunosuppressive and antineoplastic drugs. Hospitalized patients are at the highest risk, which includes those with hematologic neoplasms and other neoplastic disorders, diabetes mellitus, and those with prolonged preterminal diseases. Candidal urinary tract infections typically occur in hosts with a compromised immune function. Emphysematous cystitis is a rare disease, usually caused by aerobic bacteria, most commonly Escherichia coli. However emphysematous cystitis occasionally complicates fungal infections of the lower urinary tract, especially in diabetic patients. Because emphysematous cystitis has potentially high morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis and treatment is very important. We report a case of emphysematous cystitis with fungus ball due to Candida albicans.

A Case of Obstructive Renal Cndidiasis Treated with Percutaneous Nephrostomy in Prematurity

The improved survival rate of premature infants requiring intensive care, shows an increased risk for nosocomial infections such as disseminated fungal infection. Renal candidasis usually occurs secondary to systemic disease, and can Iead to obstructive uropathy by fungus ball. A male neonate was born in week 28 of the gestational period. His birth weight was 1200gm. He required mechanical ventilation and surfactant for respiratory distress syndrome, umbilical artery and vein catheterization, percutaneous central veneous catheterization(PCVC) for parenteral nutrition, steroid, aminophylline and broad spectrum anibiotics. Hypertension developed on the 29th hospital day, but was not controlled by diuretics and antihypertensive drugs. on the 40th hospital day, he had abdominal distension, anuria, and azotemia. A Renal ultrasonogram showed that the ureteropelvic junction of the left kidney was completely obstructed with fungus balls. A percutaneous nephrostorny tube, made in a pigtail shape by hand, was inserted under fluoroscopy guidance, and the obstruction of the pelvis was resolved by wire manipulation. Parenteral amphotericin B and oral flucytocine were started, and the left renal pelvis was directly drained and irrigated by percutaneous nephrostomy tube. Candida albicans(C. albicuns) was cultured from urine and a percutaneous central venous catheter tip. His general condition improved, and follow up urine culture revealed no fungus. On follow-up renal ultrasonogram, renal cortex echogenicity and fungus ball had disappeared except for mild left renal calyectasis and pelvic thickening. This report describes a case of obstructive uropathy by fungus ball in systemic candidiasis of prematurity, and reviews the related literature.

Pulmonary Pseudallescheriasis: A case report and Histopathologic Comparision with Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Infection by pseudallescheria boydii is an occasional cause of mycetoma, corneal ulcers, endophthalitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, meningitis, arthritis, and osteomyelitis. But, it also causes serious disseminated or localized infection in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of pulmonary pseudallescheriasis developed in a 32-year-old man who has been a sofa manufacturer for several years. He presented with a cystic mass in the lung, 5cm in the largest dimension. Dark green necrotic material was evacuated from the cavity. Microscopically, the cystic wall and adjacent lung parenchyme were infiltrated by histiocytes rather than eosinophils and there was little fibrosis in the wall. The P. boydii was isolated from the cystic contents, which revealed white floccose colonies in Sabouraud dextrose agar and revealed single or multiple-celled oval conidia being produced on short hyalinated hyphae and on the elongated annellides in the slide culture. The differential findings with aspergillosis are discussed.

Anuria in a Infant due to Bilateral Ureteropelvic Fungus Balls / 대한신장학회잡지

Fungal infection has been observed with increasing frequency in recent years because the use of combinations of broad spectrum antibiotics, immunosuppressive agents, and antineoplastic agents is increasing and the survival rate of premature baby is increasing. We experienced a 3 month old male infant with anuria due to bilateral ureteropelvic fungus balls. He was born at 31 weeks gestation period and had been treated with broad spectrum antibiotics for 5 weeks after birth. We removed fungus balls surgically and made nephrostomy bilaterally. And then irrigation of amphotericn B through nephrostomy and systemic amphotercin B injection had performed for 3 weeks. Thereafter fungus balls completely disappeared.

A Study on the Diagnosis of Fungus Ball

BACKGROUND: Fungus ball should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic or recurrent sinusitis resistant to adequate medicinal treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1, 1995, to September 31, 1997, 32 patients were diagnosed with fungus ball based on the pathologic confirmation. We reviewed the 32 patients from the diagnostic point of view, evaluating clinical symptoms, signs, computerized tomography (CT) findings, and operative findings. We also reviewed five cases of clinical misdiagnosis, in which pathologic confirmation failed to identify fungus despite operative and radiologic findings suggesting its presence. RESULTS: Among 32 patients, 19 cases (59%) were suspected prior to surgery as having fungus ball. Eleven cases (34%) were suspected only upon historical and physical examination. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion is necessary for the diagnosis of fungus ball. A pathologic confirmation is necessary for a definite diagnosis.

A case of neonatal systemic candidiasis

No abstract available.