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Allergic aspergillus sinusitis—an overlooked diagnosis?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

D. Jonathan
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London
V. Lund*
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London
C. Milroy
Affiliation:
Department of Histopathology, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London
*
Valerie J. Lund M S., F R C S., Senior Lecturer in Rhinology, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8DA

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.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1989

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