Prevalence of allergic fungal sinusitis among patients with nasal polyps.
BACKGROUND
Nasal polyposis is a common problem in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Since allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) can present with unilateral or bilateral nasal polyps, it is important to be aware of the prevalence of AFS in patients with nasal polyps.


METHODS
The medical records of 91 patients with nasal polyps admitted for functional endoscopic sinus surgery were reviewed. The diagnosis of AFS was considered if histopathology showed the presence of eosinophillic mucin-containing hyphae. The following data were collected: presence of associated asthma, IgE levels, grading of CT scan findings, and operative details.


RESULTS
Histopathological diagnosis was positive for AFS in 11 of 91 patients 12.1%. There was a highly significant statistical difference in IgE levels between patients suffering AFS and chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (P<.0001). The overall incidence of recurrence of polypi was 50.5% (45 of 89 patients who had follow up for a minimum of one year) and the rate of recurrence in patients with AFS was 54.5% (6 of 11 patients with AFS). There was a significant direct relationship between the CT grading of nasal polyps and recurrence, with a recurrence rate of 60.7% (34 of 56) in patients with grade III nasal polyps.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that the prevalence of AFS among patients with nasal polyps is 12.1%, and suggests that CT grading of nasal polyps can be used as a prognostic factor for disease recurrence.
Telmesani
Laila M
LM
Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, King Faisal University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. telmesanilaila@hotmail.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult