Prognostic Model in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Isolated Fungal Sphenoiditis

Abstract

The study is dedicated to investigating the influence of anatomical peculiarities of the ethmoid sinus and identifying predictors of isolated fungal sphenoiditis development. The introduction highlights the multifactorial nature of the involvement of paranasal sinuses and the relevance of establishing patterns of fungal sphenoiditis development. The methods include a retrospective analysis of 76 patients with isolated sphenoiditis requiring surgical treatment. All participants underwent thorough pre-hospital examination, including computed tomography, endoscopic examination, and in some cases, magnetic resonance imaging. The results show that fungal involvement was observed in 12%, and all subjects exhibited an increased distance from the posterior wall of the middle nasal turbinate to the sphenoid sinus ostium (identified as a prognostic pattern of fungal ball development). Among the complaints, there was a statistically significant difference in ”nasal congestion,” which was more common in fungal infections, and a gender association, as sphenoiditis predominantly affected women. The findings can be utilized for developing effective prevention and treatment methods for this condition. The conclusions emphasize the importance of studying the anatomical parameters of the ethmoid sinus to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of fungal sphenoiditis.