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Fungus ball in concha bullosa: a rare case with anosmia

Mahmut Ozkırıs1, Zeliha Kapusuz, Selda Seçkın

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Bozok University Medical Faculty, Adnan Menderes Bulvarı No. 42, Yozgat, Turkey.

Case Reports in Otolaryngology
|August 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

A rare fungal infection, a fungus ball, developed in a concha bullosa, a common sinonasal anatomy variation. This case, the fourth reported, presented with anosmia, highlighting potential complications of impaired aeration.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Medical Mycology
  • Sinonasal Anatomy

Background:

  • Concha bullosa, the pneumatization of the nasal concha, is a frequent sinonasal anatomical variation.
  • Impaired aeration within a concha bullosa can lead to histopathological changes and infections.
  • Fungal sinusitis, specifically nasal fungus balls, is an exceptionally rare condition, with limited prior case reports.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the fourth documented case of a nasal fungus ball.
  • To describe the development of this rare fungal infection within a concha bullosa.
  • To highlight anosmia as a presenting symptom in this specific clinical scenario.

Main Methods:

  • Case presentation of a patient with a fungus ball.
  • Detailed description of the anatomical location within a concha bullosa.
  • Clinical presentation including anosmia.

Main Results:

  • Successfully identified and documented the fourth case of a nasal fungus ball.
  • The fungus ball was found to be located within a concha bullosa.
  • The patient presented with the symptom of anosmia.

Conclusions:

  • Concha bullosa can serve as a site for rare fungal infections like fungus balls.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering fungal sinusitis in patients with sinonasal variations and symptoms like anosmia.
  • Further investigation into the relationship between concha bullosa and fungal infections may be warranted.

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