Ophthalmic Manifestations of Allergic Fungal Sinusitis

Loss of Vision Outcome for Allergic Fungal Sinusitis: Case Report and Literature Review

Visual loss is a rare manifestation of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS). We report a case of an adult male who was diagnosed with AFRS and who presented during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown with sudden-onset complete vision loss and a lack of recovery after surgical and medical management. We reviewed the literature on reported cases of AFRS complicated by visual loss to identify factors associated with visual outcomes. We found 50 patients who were diagnosed with acute visual loss due to AFRS, with an average age of 28 ± 14 years. Complete and partial recovery after surgical intervention were reported in 17 and 10 cases, respectively. However, the absence of vision improvement was reported in 14 of the cases. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention can return vision back to normal. However, delayed presentation, complete loss of vision, and acute onset of visual loss are associated with worse outcomes.

Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis in Saudi Arabia: A Review of Recent Literature

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) has been considered an enigma since it was first described four decades ago. Previous research has found that AFRS has multiple definitions and a poorly understood pathogenesis because it overlaps with other conditions and necessitates meticulous work and multiple diagnostic modalities to confirm the diagnosis. However, despite the expansion of medical and surgical treatments, recurrence still occurs. In this review, the recent literature on AFRS cases in Saudi Arabia with relevance to its epidemiology, diagnosis, and management was studied and compared with international data. PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library were searched for original research and review articles with local data. There is an evident paucity and contradiction between local studies regarding the epidemiology, diagnostic methods, and management of AFRS. Hence, well-defined randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed for the treatment of this chronic recurrent disease.

Frontal sinus infection leading to sino-orbital aspergillosis: a case report

Sino-orbital aspergillosis is an uncommon but aggressive infection. It rarely originates from the frontal sinus due to the complex anatomy of the frontal recess and anteromedial position of its ostium. An 87-year-old man of Nigerian heritage with a history of multiple myeloma, chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes, presented to the eye clinic with a right tense swollen eyelid and proptosis. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed a right superomedial mass communicating with the frontal sinus and biopsy confirmed an orbital aspergilloma. The patient was successfully treated with debulking surgery and anti-fungal treatment despite developing side effects to the drugs. To improve prognosis, ophthalmologists should be aware of this distinct entity and use a multi-disciplinary approach.

An integrative review on the uses of plant-derived bioactives formulated in conventional and innovative dosage forms for the local treatment of damaged nasal cavity

Plants and their derivates have been used as medicines for centuries and today is being re-discovered their usefulness for the human health. The therapeutic properties of phytochemicals are re-evaluated under the light of medical and pharmacological research, pushed by a constantly growing market demand, where consumers trust more natural products than synthetic drugs. New studies are enlightening the effectiveness of phytochemicals against a wide range of ailments, nevertheless very few evaluate the efficacy of topical formulations based on natural bioactive molecules in the treatment of nasal mucosal diseases. This review aims at exploring this little covered topic. An overview on the properties and functionality of the nasal mucosa and the different diseases affecting it has been provided. We summarized various nasal dosage forms containing natural bioactive and explored how innovative delivery systems loading phytochemicals can improve the treatment results. Finally, the potential use of novel nanocarriers for the treatment of nasal ailments has been covered as well.

Allergic Fungal Sinusitis: Ophthalmic Complications Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Potential of Telemedicine

We report a case of a 26-year-old female who initially presented to an outside optometrist with complaints of proptosis and decreased visual acuity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) obtained at that time was concerning for allergic fungal sinusitis. Unfortunately, the patient’s referral to ophthalmology was delayed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. On presentation to ophthalmology one year later, the patient had clinically deteriorated with significant visual and olfactory loss. She underwent emergent endoscopic sinus surgery by otolaryngology with histological analysis of the sinus debris confirming allergic fungal sinusitis. This is a unique case demonstrating the devastating impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on patient care for an otherwise treatable condition. We propose the utilization of telemedicine networks as a way to prevent similar complications.

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis presenting with intracranial spread along large sphenoidal emissary foramen

Abstract

A 13-year-old girl was admitted for headache, right periorbital swelling and erythema. CT imaging demonstrated right orbital preseptal cellulitis, severe pansinusitis and suspected epidural abscess. Brain MRI and sinus CT confirmed an epidural abscess in the right middle cranial fossa and a second extra-cranial abscess in the right infratemporal fossa along with large right sphenoidal emissary foramen. Drainage from sinus surgery confirmed allergic fungal rhinosinusitis. She was treated with prednisone and voriconazole.

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Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis can rarely extend intracranially.

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Sphenoid emissary foramen can act as a potential communication channel between sphenoid sinus and intracranial compartment.

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Emissary vein of Vesalius traverses the sphenoidal emissary foramen.

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Emissary vein of Vesalius connects the pterygoid plexus to the cavernous sinus.

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Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis generates fibrino-purulent material with “peanut butter” appearance.

Woakes Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Proptosis due to Sinonasal Polyposis

The authors report 2 consecutive adult male patients, aged 61 and 38 years, who presented with painless unilateral proptosis. Their past medical histories were negative for asthma, allergies, and Graves disease. On examination, the nose bridge of the eldest patient was clearly enlarged. Computed tomography scans of the orbits and paranasal sinuses showed in both patients the same radiologic pattern of hyperdense ethmoidal opacifications and expansion of the inferomedial orbital floor. Histopathological analysis of the ethmoidal cells mucosa obtained during inferomedial decompression revealed benign sinonasal polyposis. These cases demonstrate that asymptomatic sinonasal polyposis can be a rare cause of proptosis.

Orbital mycoses in an adult subtropical population

Background/objectives

To report the spectrum of fungal infections involving the orbit encountered in an Australian subtropical population with respect to presentation, host risk factors, involved pathogens, treatment and outcomes.

Subjects/methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on all adult patients with orbital mycosis treated by the senior author (TJS) from 1986 to 2017 in a tertiary setting.

Results

Thirty cases of fungal infection involving the orbit were included in this case series. Of these, 26 patients had invasive disease and four patients had non-invasive disease. Causative organisms included mucormycosis (16), aspergillus (8) and other fungi (7). Common risk factors included haematological disorders or malignancy, neutropenia, corticosteroid use and diabetes mellitus. Mucormycosis in three immunocompetent patients was caused by Apophysomyces elegans. Orbital apex syndrome was observed in approximately one third of patients at initial ophthalmological assessment. Amphotericin B was used in most cases of mucormycosis, while there was a more varied spectrum of anti-fungal use in other fungal infections. Seven patients with mucormycosis proceeded to orbital exenteration with a survival rate of 43%. No patients with other orbital fungal infections were exenterated.

Conclusions

Orbital mycoses are not only opportunistic but true pathogenic infections. While initial symptoms may be varied, the development of orbital apex syndrome should raise suspicion for this condition, regardless of patient immune status or age. Survival and visual outcomes are often poor with invasive disease. Multidisciplinary team management with early orbital specialist involvement is essential.

Catastrophic Allergic Fungal Sinusitis: A Report of Two Cases

BACKGROUND

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a common condition in which sinusitis develops as an IgE-mediated response to common sinonasal fungal organisms. If that response leads to blockage of sinus ostia, bone expansion and erosion by expansive cysts containing dense inspissated debris may occur with the potential for critical neurovascular compression including damage to the anterior visual pathway.

METHODS

Review of clinical and imaging features of 2 patients who sustained catastrophic clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The first patient had pansinusitis with massive mucocele-like cysts expanding the sphenoid sinus and cranial base and causing compression of the anterior visual pathway that led to persistent severe vision loss despite extensive sinus surgery. The second patient developed sphenoethmoidal expansion with a marked inflammatory response and presumed conversion to invasive fungal sinusitis that caused anterior visual pathway vision loss, bilateral ocular motor palsies from extension into the cavernous sinuses, and death from a large middle cerebral artery stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Although AFRS is most often benign and treatable, it may rarely produce catastrophic outcomes, especially if the sphenoid sinus is involved. Irreversible vision loss may occur from compression, and ocular motor palsies and death from conversion to invasive fungal disease. Close ophthalmologic and imaging monitoring is necessary in patients with expanded sinuses, and prophylactic sinus surgery may be indicated in certain cases.

Bony orbital changes in allergic fungal sinusitis are reversible after treatment

Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) arises from a host hypersensitivity reaction to fungi residing within the sino-nasal tract. Computed tomography imaging may show heterogenous sinus opacification with bony erosion and expansion into the orbits. With advanced orbital involvement there is a risk of optic neuropathy and irreversible vision loss. We present a patient with AFS who presented with bilateral proptosis and early optic neuropathy. Radiologically, there was evidence of bony erosion and orbital wall compression. Following oral corticosteroids and full-house endoscopic sinus surgery, these changes reversed considerably. This case shows that bony and anatomical orbital changes from AFS are reversible with adequate surgical treatment.