[A rare case of isolated aspergilloma of the sphenoid sinus]

The authors report an interesting case of an isolated pathology of the sphenoid sinus (more precisely, in this case a mycotic infection of this paranasal sinus), up to a few years ago an extremely rare disease and still today an exceptional entity in the clinical practice of an otolaryngologist. The investigations carried out indicated that the infection was caused by Aspergillus candidus, a fungus which only rarely becomes pathogenic in man. The paper reports the main anamnestic data as well as the clinical and instrumental assessment of the disease. It furthermore describes the surgical procedure employed, the relative reports obtained and supplies data concerning the microbiological tests carried out on the material removed and the histological pattern observed. The surgery had an excellent outcome: the patient was cured and showed no sign of recurrence of the disease. The discussion briefly presents the clinical picture created in man by Aspergillus and stresses the rarity of the disease, noting that, including the case in question, only 23 reports, documented with histological and microscopic data, have been made in literature. The AA affirm that to their knowledge this particular case of sphenoid sinusitis caused by Aspergillus candidus [correction of Candida] is the first ever to be reported and in conclusion underline the extreme care necessary in dealing with this pathology and in making a "quoad vitam" prognosis.