Rare Presentations of Frontal Sinus Fungus Ball: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction

The sinus fungus ball is an agglomeration of debris and hyphae, mainly caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, within the paranasal sinus, commonly affecting a single sinus, and it only rarely affects the frontal sinus.

Objective

To identify the state of the art of fungus ball in paranasal sinuses, especially related to the epidemiology of the disease in the frontal sinus. Additionally, this article reports a rare case of fungus ball in the frontal sinus in an adult male, and discusses the variables of this condition related to the patient.

Data Synthesis

All of the 8 cases of fungus ball in the frontal sinus reported in this study affected male patients: 40% had unilateral disease, and 60%, bilateral disease, contrary to the incidence data of fungus ball in the other paranasal sinuses, which reports unilateral prevalence. However, in the present study, this index changes, with 50% of unilateral and 50% of bilateral incidence regarding frontal sinus involvement. The average age of the patients was 65.36 years (range: 60-74 years). The etiologic agent was Aspergillus spp., and the endonasal endoscopic therapeutic approach corresponded to 80% of cases, while frontal osteoplasty accounted for 20% of cases, reaffirming the prevalence data from other studies.

Conclusion

Despite being a low-incidence entity, frontal sinus fungus ball should be considered in patients with pain in the frontal region refractory to the usual clinical treatments.

Keywords
aspergillus fumigatus; communicable diseases; complications; transanal endoscopic surgery; paranasal sinus diseases