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Aspergillus infections in the head and neck

Adrienne M Laury1, John M Delgaudio

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-A Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA, amlaury@emory.edu.

Current Infectious Disease Reports
|February 11, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Aspergillus infections in sinuses and ears are common. Early diagnosis and treatment, including surgery and antifungals, improve outcomes for invasive fungal sinusitis, allergic fungal sinusitis, fungal balls, and ear infections.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Aspergillus species are frequent colonizers and pathogens in the sinuses and ears.
  • Fungal sinusitis severity is determined by infection invasiveness, necessitating early detection.
  • Ear infections by Aspergillus are common, often linked to antibiotic use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical presentations and management of Aspergillus infections in the sinuses and ears.
  • To highlight the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Aspergillus sinusitis and otomycosis.
  • Classification of invasive and allergic fungal sinusitis.
  • Discussion of treatment modalities including surgery, immunotherapy, and topical antifungals.

Main Results:

  • Invasive fungal sinusitis requires a high index of suspicion for early identification and reduced morbidity.
  • Allergic fungal sinusitis shows improvement with combined surgery and immunotherapy.
  • Fungal balls are typically resolved with surgical intervention.
  • Topical antifungals are highly effective for Aspergillus ear infections.

Conclusions:

  • Aspergillus infections in the sinuses and ears present diverse clinical scenarios.
  • Tailored treatment approaches, from surgery to antifungals, are crucial for successful management.
  • Understanding disease classification and diagnostic criteria aids in optimizing patient outcomes.

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