Utilizing CT soft-tissue markers as a screening tool for acute invasive fungal sinusitis

Objectives: Acute invasive fungal sinusitis (AIFS) is a rapidly progressive disease, whose delayed identification results in poor outcomes, especially in immunocompromised individuals. A surge in of AIFS in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has lent additional morbidity and mortality to an already precarious clinical scenario. Early detection of AIFS in individuals who are symptomatic/ at risk can allow early therapy, enabling better patient outcomes. Our study aims to determine optimal soft-tissue markers on CT for the early detection of AIFS. Methods: In this case-control study, 142 patients with equal distribution of subjects were chosen based on histopathological diagnosis of AIFS; and their non-contrast CT scans were retrospectively assessed to determine the diagnostic utility of specific soft-tissue markers that would enable diagnosis of AIFS. Results: A total of 9 markers with adequate sensitivity and specificity were identified, including pterygopalatine and sphenopalatine fossae, inferior orbital fissure and nasolacrimal duct involvement, premaxillary thickening, retro-antral and orbital stranding, and infratemporal muscle edema. It was determined that the combined occurrence of any 3 out of 9 markers was 91.5% sensitive and 95.9% specific for diagnosis of AIFS (p < 0.005). Conclusion: Early, accurate detection of AIFS in predisposed individuals is possible with identification of soft-tissue markers on NECT, enabling early intervention. Advances in knowledge: Being the aggressive disease that it is, AIFS may be managed early if the index of suspicion is held high via CT imaging; which our diagnostic checklist aims at enabling.

Bilateral maxillectomy via mid-facial degloving approach in an extensive case of post-Coronavirus disease invasive fungal sinusitis

<p class="abstract">Coronavirus disease associated invasive fungal sinusitis has affected many and several have succumbed to the disease during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Mucormycosis is a rare, opportunistic, fulminant, angioinvasive fungal infection caused by Rhizopus species of the order Mucorales. It mainly affects immunocompromised individuals, predisposed by diabetes mellitus, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive therapy, haematological malignancies and organ transplantation. We reported here a case of a 45 years old male with past history of Coronavirus disease, presenting with symptoms of invasive fungal sinusitis. With this case we emphasised on use of an alternate approach for bilateral total maxillectomy via midfacial degloving approach instead of a classical external Weber Ferguesen incision in extensive cases with several associated co-morbidities. Mid facial degloving approach is a combination of intraoral and intranasal incisions made to access the midface without any external incision. This approach is advantageous in comparatively having less complication rate, less morbidity and excellent cosmetic outcome.</p>

714. Invasive Fungal Infection Caused by Curvularia Species in a Patient with Intranasal Drug Use: A Case Report

Background Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are uncommon infections that account for approximately 27.2/100,000 cases per year in the United States. One form of IFI is chronic invasive fungal sinusitis (CIFS). If untreated, invasion into neighboring structures may cause altered mental status, seizures, strokes, proptosis, and intracranial complications. Case Report An afebrile 43-year-old female with a history of polysubstance abuse presented to the ED due to altered mental status, left sided facial droop, right sided hemiparesis, and slurred speech. The patient was somnolent but arousable to stimuli and appeared acutely ill. The patient’s mother reported a history of cocaine abuse, which was confirmed on urine toxicology. A CT head and neck with contrast revealed subacute basal ganglia lacunar infarcts and a left sphenoid opacity with scattered hyperintensities and erosive changes [Figure 2]. One month prior, she had been diagnosed with a left superior pole kidney mass and a left-sided enlarged periaortic lymph node containing multiple noncaseating granulomas and GMS stains positive for fungal hyphae [Figure 1]. The patient underwent nasal endoscopy with tissue biopsy. Tissue showed necrotizing invasive fungal sinusitis with granuloma formation and foreign-body giant cell reaction. Fungal speciation of the tissue culture showed Curvularia species was placed on IV voriconazole. While the infection stabilized, her neurologic deficits did not significantly improve. She was discharged to inpatient rehabilitation. Figure 1. Coronal and axial view of left upper pole kidney mass with perinephric fat stranding. Figure 2. MRI brain CTA Head and Neck with contrast in axial plane showing multifocal infarcts likely represent complications of fungal basilar meningitis secondary to the left sphenoid sinus disease. Imaging also shows irregular erosive change at the anterior aspect of the sella turcica, through the planum sphenoidale, and bony defect of the sphenoid sinus. Methods Results Conclusion Intranasal use of cocaine causes vasoconstriction to elicit sinonasal tissue ischemia. With extended use, chronic mucosal inflammation can occur that can result in sinonasal osteocartilaginous necrosis and potential for infection. CIFS is infrequently diagnosed and its indolent nature with progression over weeks or months can make diagnosis and treatment difficult. The most frequent fungal species identified are the Aspergillus species, but Curvularia species have been found as well. CT and MRI scanning can be suggestive, but are not sufficiently specific or sensitive. The main forms of interventional modalities include surgical debridement and antifungal therapy to maximize survival Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Invasive Fungal Sinusitis: Clinical Pathologic Characteristics of Acute vs. Chronic Infections

Introduction/Objective Invasive fungal sinusitis is a serious condition requiring early diagnosis and treatment. It has been classified into acute, chronic and granulomatous forms. This study aims to investigate clinical pathologic aspects such as a) Frequency of mass forming lesions, b) Frequency of granulomatous reaction, c) Frequency of acute inflammatory reaction and d) Frequency of angioinvasion, perineural invasion and necrosis, to determine if these factors allow a more meaningful clinical-pathologic classification. Methods/Case Report Cases of invasive fungal sinusitis with surgical pathology specimens available in our laboratory since January 1, 2006 to date were gathered. Electronic medical records, histopathologic diagnostic material and laboratory fungal identification results were reviewed. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Thirty-one cases of invasive fungal sinusitis were found: Twenty-two were acute (&lt; 4wk duration) and 9 chronic. Patient comorbidities in acute cases were malignancies: 45%, diabetes mellitus: 26% and solid organ transplant: 10%. Among patients with malignancies, 5 cases had relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia with neutropenia &lt; 1000/uL. Patients with diabetes mellitus exhibited an average HbA1c of 10.0%. Two out of 3 transplant patients had graft versus host disease. The most common causative fungi were species of Aspergillus, Candida and mucormycetes. By contrast, a third of the chronic cases had a history of recreational drug use and six presented with space occupying lesions seen on imaging studies. Upon histologic review, four of these showed granulomas and the majority of cases exhibited extensive necrosis. Among necrotic cases, perineural and vascular invasion by fungal organisms was identified. Conclusion We report the contrasting clinical pathologic characteristics of acute and chronic invasive fungal sinusitis in a series of cases treated at University affiliated tertiary/quaternary-care Hospitals. Acute invasive sinusitis is usually a complication of severe systemic diseases. Chronic cases are caused by various medical conditions including the use of recreational drug and may mimic neoplasms on imaging.

Efficacy of Different Modalities of Treatment in Management of Different Types of Fungal Sinusits

Background Fungal sinusitis is generally classified into invasive and non invasive fungal sinusitis based on histological features, invasive fungal sinusitis divided into acute, chronic and chronic granulomatous invasive fungal sinusitis. While non invasive fungal sinusitis include saprophytic fungal infestation, fungal ball, and fungus-related eosinophilic. Distinguishing invasive disease from noninvasive disease is important because the treatment and prognosis are different for each. AIM A systemic review of effective and safe method in management of different types of fungal sinusitis either by medical or surgical approaches or even combined. Be up to date with the different upcoming new modalities. Methodology A meta-analysis study is done to evaluate the medical and surgical outcomes of patients with invasive and noninvasive Fungal Sinusits. Results Finally, forty-five studies were included in the present systematic review and metaanalysis. Fifteen included studies (No = 539 patients) assessed different modalities for management of fungal ball, via classic endoscopic technique, Canine-fossa approach, gauze technique and osteoplastic approach for FB of the maxillary sinus. The results showed that functional endoscopic sinus surgery has led to success rate of 98.1%. Twenty included studies (No = 806 patients) have assessed the efficacy and safety of different modalities for the management of allergic fungal sinusitis via,Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Post-ESS Systemic steroids, Antifungals and immunotherapy. The results showed that ESS represents the firstline management strategy of AFRS, followed by aggressive medical therapies, the recurrence rate after postoperative steroids was 20.6%, postoperative antifungals was 40% and after immunotherapy was 9.1%. Ten studies (No = 327 patients) for Invasive Fungal Sinusitis.the results showed that combination of systematic antifungal therapy and aggressive surgical debridement are the treatment of choice. Conclusion FESS is the treatment of choice of fungal ball via classic endoscopic technique, Canine-fossa approach, gauze technique and osteoplastic approach. AFS treatment consists of surgical extirpation of the allergic mucin and polyps with maintenance of adequate sinus drainage followed by medical therapy consists of topical steroids, anti fungal therapy, Immunotherapy, and systemic corticosteroids. Treatment of invasive fungal sinusitis includes surgical resection of necrotic tissues, systemic antifungal therapy and reversal of immune dysfunction.