Allergic aspergillus sinusitis—an overlooked diagnosis?

Abstract

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 indentified 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.