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Fungal infections of the head and neck: an update

Richard D Thrasher1, Todd T Kingdom

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E. 9th Avenue, B-205, Denver, CO 80262, USA.

Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America
|October 22, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Fungal infections are increasingly recognized in chronic rhinosinusitis, though their exact cause and treatment remain unclear. Further research into host defenses is crucial for improving patient outcomes in fungal sinusitis.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Mycology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Fungal infections of the head and neck are widespread but poorly understood.
  • Diagnosis and management have seen limited progress, with notable exceptions in nasal and sinus infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significant role of fungi in chronic rhinosinusitis.
  • To discuss the unclear pathophysiological mechanisms of fungal rhinosinusitis.
  • To outline the spectrum of fungal-related sinonasal diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on fungal infections in the head and neck.
  • Analysis of current understanding of chronic rhinosinusitis and fungal involvement.
  • Categorization of defined fungal sinonasal disease entities.

Main Results:

  • Fungi are implicated in a substantial proportion of chronic rhinosinusitis cases.
  • The underlying mechanisms may involve allergic (IgE) or cell-mediated immune responses.
  • A spectrum of disease exists, including allergic fungal sinusitis, eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis, and eosinophilic fungal rhinosinusitis.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal infections represent a broad and complex area of head and neck disease.
  • Advancements in understanding host defense mechanisms at cellular and genetic levels are expected to improve treatment.
  • Further research is essential to unravel the complexities of fungal sinonasal diseases.

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