Invasive aspergillosis of the nose and paranasal sinuses

ABSTRACT

Aspergillus is being increasingly recognised as a pathogenic entity in the nose and paranasal sinuses. In its pathologic form it may present; either as a fulminant, highly aggressive invasive disease, an aspergilloma; allergic sinusitis or; as a slowly progressive invasive aspergillosis seen in apparently healthy individuals. The progression and prognosis of the disease depends on the location, duration, immunocompetence and allergic factors. This report recounts our experience with two cases of invasive aspergillosis in non-immuno compromised patients. Its differentiation from a neoplastic lesion may prove difficult at times and repeated fungal cultures may be needed to establish a diagnosis. The main stay of treatment being surgical resection followed by antifungal chemotherapy