Fungal nasal septal abscess in the immunocompromised patient

Fungal Abscess of Anterior Nasal Septum Complicating Maxillary Sinus Fungal Ball Rhinosinusitis Caused by Aspergillus flavus: Case Report and Review of Literature

Anterior nasal septum abscess is not a rare clinical disease entity. In terms of the etiologies of the disease, bacteria are obviously more common than fungi. Fungal culture and pathological examination are essential for diagnosis of a fungal abscess of the anterior nasal septum and the basis of prescription of antifungal agents. We report a 57-year-old male patient who came to our outpatient clinic due to refractory nasal congestion for 3 weeks despite receiving treatments by a local medical doctor. Radical surgery with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy for the right buccal cancer was carried out 14 years ago. The patient has diabetes mellitus and the blood sugar level has been well controlled by oral hypoglycemic agents over the past several years. Computed tomography revealed an abscess in the anterior septum along with rhinosinusitis. Incision and drainage of the nasal septum abscess and functional endoscopic sinus surgery were carried out. Fungal culture and pathological examination confirmed a fungal abscess in the anterior nasal septum and fungal ball rhinosinusitis. Antibiotics and an antifungal agent were given, and the postoperative course was uneventful. A dialectical argument was made regarding the causal relationship between the fungal abscess of the anterior nasal septum and maxillary fungal ball sinusitis. A literature review of the previous case reports was carried out to elucidate the immune status of patients of this disease. In order to reach a rapid establishment of a fungal abscess of the anterior nasal septum, clinicians should keep this disease in mind and remain vigilant. An immuno-compromised status is more commonly found in patients with fungal abscess of the anterior nasal septum and is another important characteristic of this disease. Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment are equally important in patients with lower immune status of this kind, and the latter is based on the former.

Nasal septal abscess with a dental origin: a case report and a review of the literature

Since the first report of a nasal septal abscess (NSA) from a dental origin (1920), six articles have been published in the English literature to date. The most common cause of NSA is an infection of the nasal septal hematoma after trauma. This is a report of an uncommon cause of NSA with a dental origin. A PubMed search performed regardless of year and country using the terms (“nasal septal abscess”) OR (“nasal septum abscess”) initially yielded 229 articles. After screening, seven articles (eight patients) were selected. Addition of two related articles produced a total of nine articles (10 patients) to be included. The age of the included patients ranged from 7 to 69 years (mean, 32.82 years; standard deviation, ±23.86 years). The sex composition was as followed: males (n=7; 63.6%), females (n=4; 36.4%). Dental histories were various: periapical lesions, caries, extraction, endodontic therapy, and cystic lesions. The maxillary incisor dominated as the tooth of origin. Early diagnosis and treatment of NSAs are important to avoid not only facial deformity, but also severe complications (e.g., intracranial infection). If NSA is suspected in patients without facial trauma, the possibility of a dental origin, especially from the maxillary incisor area, should be considered.

Fungal nasal septum abscess caused by Aspergillus flavus complicating sinonasal surgery

The fungal nasal septum abscess is a rare localized invasive form of fungal rhinosinusitis. Rare cases have been described in the literature. In this article, we intend to describe a new case of fungal nasal septum abscess caused by Aspergillus flavus in diabetic patient after sinonasal surgery. A 53-year-old woman with a history of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and asthma developed a nasal septum abscess after a sinonasal endoscopic surgery which was performed for nasal polyposis. Needle aspiration of the abscess was performed and the pus cultures were positive for Aspergillus flavus. The patient was treated with antifungal drugs and surgical drainage of the abscess. A clinical and biological improvement was observed. Her case has been followed up for 18 months, and there hasn't been any recurrence of the infection. The fungal nasal septum abscess should be suspected in patients who do not respond adequately to standard treatment of nasal septum abscess, especially patients with risk factors of fungal rhinosinusitis.

Nasalseptal hematoma/abscess: management and outcome in a tertiary hospital of a developing country

BACKGROUND

Nasal hematoma/abscess is an uncommon entity, but capable of leading to serious consequences if not handled meticulously, and with urgency.

OBJECTIVE

To present the management, and outcome of nasal septal hematoma/abscess in a Nigerian tertiary institution.

METHOD

Consecutive patients diagnosed with nasal septal hematoma/abscess over a 10-year period, treated at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria, were prospectively studied. The processes leading to diagnosis, treatment, and outcome were sequentially evaluated.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients (37 males and 16 females), age 5-65 years (with mean age of 23.10 years), were included. Surgical drainage of the hematoma/abscess, intranasal packing with insertion of drain was performed with total resolution of problem in all the cases.

CONCLUSION

Incision and drainage, and intranasal packing with insertion of drain was effective in treating nasal septal hematoma/abscess.

Isolated nasal septum necrosis caused by Aspergillus flavus in an immunocompromised child

Nontraumatic isolated nasal septal aspergillosis in the absence of sinusitis is a rare but serious infection in immunocompromised patients. Adequate management requires early diagnosis, prompt empiric antifungal therapy, and surgical debridement to prevent progression of life-threatening complications. With the increasing population of immunocompromised children, it is essential for timely management that clinicians have a high index of suspicion for this unusual presentation of aspergillosis.

Nasal septal abscess in children: from diagnosis to management and prevention

BACKGROUND

Nasal septal abscess (NSA) is an uncommon condition. It is a collection of pus in the space between the nasal septum and its overlying mucoperichondrium and/or mucoperiosteum. If left untreated, there are risks of intracranial complications, facial deformity, and delayed facial growth. There is no universally agreed consensus on the treatment of this condition. This study reviews evidence in the literature to determine its etiology, presentation, investigation, management options, and outcome.

METHOD

A structured review of the PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Collaboration databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews) was undertaken, using the MeSH terms: nasal septum, nasal cartilage, trauma, hematoma, abscess, reconstructive surgery, rhinoplasty, pediatric, and children.

RESULTS

A total of 159 citations from 1920 to date were reviewed regarding nasal septal abscess, of which 81 articles were identified to be relevant to this review. No randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews were found in the Cochrane Collaboration database, PubMed or EMBASE. NSA is more common in children and in male. Nasal trauma and untreated septal hematoma are the leading cause. Staphylococcus aureus is isolated in up 70% of the cases. Clinically, nasal septal swelling, pain and tenderness, with purulent discharge are mostly evident. The immediate management of NSA is incision and drainage and antibiotic therapy. Recent studies suggest early septal reconstruction in children in order to prevent immediate and late facial deformity and nasal dysfunction. Autologous cartilage is the implant material of choice.

CONCLUSION

Nasal septal abscess is a serious condition that necessitates urgent surgical management in order to prevent potential life threatening complications. In the growing child, early reconstruction of destructed septal cartilage is essential for normal development of the midface (nose and maxilla).