Current therapeutic protocols for chronic granulomatous fungal sinusitis

The treatment of chronic granulomatous fungal sinusitis (CGFS), a rare form of invasive fungal sinusitis, is controversial.

To assess the response to postoperative antifungal therapy in patients with CGFS and suggest an effective treatment protocol.

Clinical records of patients with CGFS who had undergone excisive surgery followed by antifungal therapy were reviewed to assess current disease status.

Fourteen male and 4 female patients were diagnosed with CGFS, based on typical histopathological and fungal smear/ culture results. Aspergillus flavus was isolated from 88.9% cases. Stage 1 patients had resectable sinonasal disease, stage 2 had additional spread to orbit/palate and stage 3 had extensive disease. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 8 years. Residual disease was seen in all but one patient who received amphotericin B as first line therapy and in none of those who received itraconazole or voriconazole. Even those who received azoles as second line therapy were disease free at last follow-up.

Surgery followed by itraconazole or voriconazole for Stage 1 and 2 disease and voriconazole for stage 3 disease is recommended for a good outcome. Amphotericin B is not recommended as first line therapy for CGFS.