J Rhinol.  2010 May;17(1):33-36.

Clinical Features of Bilateral Paranasal Sinus Fungus Ball

• Shim BS
• Song YJ
• Han KY
• Kim JH
• Ha MS
• Kim JY

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Paranasal sinus fungus balls occur usually in a single sinus, most frequently the maxillary sinus. The goal of this study was to delineate the clinical features of a bilateral paranasal sinus fungus ball.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed seven patients who presented with a bilateral sinus fungus ball and who received endoscopic sinus surgery between July 2004 and January 2009. We analyzed age, gender, chief complaint, associated symptoms, nasal endoscopic findings, ostiomeatal unit (OMU) computed tomography (CT) results, and surgical findings. RESULT: The male to female ratio was 1:6, and the age range was from 40 to 76 years. The chief complaints were nasal obstruction in three patients, foul odour in two, postnasal dripping in one, and cheek pain in one patient. Calcification of the paranasal sinus upon CT was observed in three cases (43%). A fungus ball was found in the maxillary sinus or middle meatus in all cases.
CONCLUSION
Bilateral paranasal sinus fungus balls usually involve the bilateral maxillary sinus or middle meatus and often invade the anterior ethmoid sinus or frontal sinus.

Keyword

Paranasal sinusitis; Fungus ball; Computed tomography; Endoscopic sinus surgery

MeSH Terms

Cheek
Ethmoid Sinus
Female
Frontal Sinus
Fungi
Humans
Male
Maxillary Sinus
Nasal Obstruction
Retrospective Studies