A Stepwise Progression of Acute Bilateral Visual Loss Due to Onodi Cell Sinusitis

Acute visual loss in an immunocompromised patient may be caused by acute invasive fungal sinusitis (AIFS), even if symptoms include only mild headache and computed tomography (CT) shows only mild sinusitis, especially of the Onodi cell. Herein, we report a case of a 71-year-old man with a medical history of dermatomyositis and type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented with a stepwise progression of acute bilateral visual loss, mild headache, and altered consciousness. Initially, as the plain cranial CT showed only mild fluid retention in the posterior ethmoid sinus without bone destruction, the sinusitis was considered unrelated to the visual loss. Afterward, however, contrast-enhanced cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed mucosal thickening, fluid retention in the posterior ethmoid sinus, and spread of the contrast medium over the dura around the right posterior ethmoid sinus and bilateral optic nerve tracts. Aspergillus fumigatus was identified from endoscopic drainage of the sinus. The patient was diagnosed with AIFS and treated with amphotericin B 350 mg/day. The altered sensorium and headache rapidly improved, and his left visual acuity improved to counting fingers. Although AIFS is rare, it can cause severe sequela or death due to vascular or direct intracranial invasion. Therefore, immediate drainage of the sinus and intravenous antifungal therapy are essential for AIFS. Our findings will help physicians make accurate and rapid diagnoses of AIFS in future cases.