Fungal Mastoiditis in an Immunocompetent Patient / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Aspergillus has been recognized in infections of the paranasal sinuses since 1891, and in invasive external otitis since 1985. Fungal mastoiditis is a very rare entity, which is almost exclusively seen in immunocompromised patients. The authors present a case of fungal mastoiditis in a 43-year-old woman without immunocompromise. The patient showed symptoms of chronic intermittent otorrhea, otalgia and progressive hearing loss. On physical examination, attic destruction and adhesive tympanic membrane was seen in the right side. On temporal bone CT scans, soft tissue density was noted in the right mastoid antrum. After radical mastoidectomy, tissue pathology from mastoid cavity showed fungal ball of aspergillus. Fungal infection of mastoid cavity is very rare, however, it can cause serious complications. So, we report here, with a review of literature, a case of fungal mastoiditis in an immunocompetent patient.