Allergic aspergillus sinusitis--an overlooked diagnosis?
Aspergillus infection of the nose and sinuses has been recognized for nearly 100 years but a variant, allergic aspergillus sinusitis, has recently been recognized. This non-invasive form causes chronic sinusitis characterized by thick green inspissated mucus in which eosinophils and Charcot-Leyden crystals are found. Fungal hyphae are scanty and are identified with special stains. Consequently the diagnosis may frequently be overlooked. It has many similarities with allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis and is treated by surgical debridement and aeration with or without cortico steroids, either topical or systemic.
Jonathan
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Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London.
Lund
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Milroy
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D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones