Mycoses of the paranasal sinus system

Abstract

During the last few years, in increasing number of fungal infections in the paranasal sinus system has been observed. Aspergillus species as well as mucor and candida albicans are especially responsible for these mycoses. Twenty-seven cases of a fungal infection of the paranasal sinuses were observed between 1986 and 1997. The majority of the patients showed a chronic noninvasive form with affection of the maxillary sinus. Other forms (fulminant invasive form, chronic invasive form, allergic fungal sinusitis) are described. Typical features for fungal infection do exist in MRI and CT. A flexible therapeutic strategy is required in which appropriate pharmacologic and surgical options are tailored to the respective clinical picture.