Fungal sinusitis is broadly classified into invasive and non-invasive types.  Non-invasive fungal sinusitis includes Mycetoma and Allergic Fungal Sinusitis. Invasive fungal sinusitis includes Acute Fulminant Invasive Fungal Sinusitis, Chronic Invasive Fungal Sinusitis and  Granulomatous Invasive Fungal Sinusitis.

According to Dr. Le Quoc Tu, ENT Department, City International Hospital: "Fungus is ubiquitous, present in all our surroundings and the air we inhale. Fortunately, most healthy people do not react to the presence of fungus due to a functioning immune system. Fungal infections of the sinuses have recently been blamed for causing most cases of chronic rhinosinusitis. Most fungal sinus infections are benign or noninvasive, except when they occur in individuals who are immunocompromised. Several reports are available that have shown invasive fungal infections in immunocompetent individuals. Distinguishing invasive disease from noninvasive disease is important because the treatment and prognosis are different for each."

What are Fungi?

There are approximately 20000 to 1.5 million different species of fungi. However, only some of these cause sickness in humans. One of the important components of the fungus is the fungal spore, which are microscopic biological particles that allow fungi to be reproduced. Fungal spores can survive in unfavorable environments. Once the spores are exposed to the favorable environment it develops into a complete fungus. 

Dr. Le Quoc Tu, Oto-Rhyno-Laryngology (ENT), City International Hospital

Types of Fungi

Fungal sinusitis is broadly classified into invasive and non-invasive types.  Non-invasive fungal sinusitis includes Mycetoma and Allergic Fungal Sinusitis. Invasive fungal sinusitis includes Acute Fulminant Invasive Fungal Sinusitis, Chronic Invasive Fungal Sinusitis and  Granulomatous Invasive Fungal Sinusitis.

Mycetoma

The most commonly involved sinuses are the maxillary and the sphenoid sinuses, (85% of cases). Most commonly molds such as Aspergillus are responsible. Symptoms usually are stuffy nose. Symptoms are usually non-specific. Approximately 10% of patients have fungus balls. Treatment involves removal of the fungus ball through endoscopic sinus surgery.

Allergic Fungal Sinusitis

Patients suffering from this condition often notice thick, yellowish-brown mucus draining from the sinuses, and complain of severe nasal congestion, difficulty smelling, sinus pressure and headaches. Sinus surgery and allergy medications are the mainstay of treatment for these patients.

Acute Fulminant Invasive Fungal Sinusitis

This type of sinus infection involves the invasion of fungal debris into the sinus tissues of an immunosuppressed patients and diabetes patients. Symptoms are High fever, headache, weakened vision and even death. Treatment involves a combination of aggressive surgical and medical therapy.

Chronic Invasive Fungal Sinusitis

Symptoms like an Acute Fulminant Invasive Fungal Sinusitis but the spread of fungus is not rapid, but rather occurs over weeks or a succession of months. The agent is usually Aspergillus. Symptoms are similar to chronic sinusitis caused by other agents, but the other is not responding to antibiotics. Treatment involves surgery in combination with medical therapy (anti-fungal drugs and measures to restore the patient’s immune system).

Granulomatous Invasive Fungal Sinusitis

Symptoms like an Chronic Invasive Fungal Sinusitis. This form of fungal sinusitis is rare and Aspergillus flavus is usually the causative organism. Treatment may involve surgery in combination with antifungal agents (voriconazole.)

There are many forms of fungal sinusitis. A complete evaluation by your rhinologist will help to determine if you have a form of fungal sinusitis and how it needs to be treated, as some forms of fungal sinusitis have distinctly different medical and surgical treatments.

The ENT clinic of City International Hospital is dedicated to providing you with total care for diseases and disorders of the Ear nose and throat and related diseases. We offer the highest level of specialty care for all those problems for adults and children. 

We use Nasal endoscopy for examination and diagnosis. If the colonoscopy results are suspected of sinusitis, your doctor will prescribe if you may need to get a CT scan to look for more serious problems or a medical treatment as well as a surgical treatment.

City International Hospital with state-of-the-art computerized laparoscopy and computed tomography will ensure early diagnosis and the most effective treatments for patients.

Fugal Sinusitis consultation and treatment procedure at City International Hospital:

• Clinical examination with nasal endoscopy
• If there are signs of fungal sinusitis, patients will be consulted CT scan or MRI to assess the lesions in the sinus and level of encroachment to adjacent structures if available.
• Endoscopic sinus surgery
• Based on invasive or noninvasive lesions, patients will be advised on appropriate treatment regimens.
• The length of hospital stay after surgery is one day, after which the patient will revisit weekly after surgery for the first month.
• Patients are given instructions & care after sinus nose surgery.

For appointment or more information about the services provided by the department,  please contact:

City International Hospital

Operator: (8428) 6280 3333, ext. 8035 or 8036

Or call  ENT Clinic

Patient service: (8428) 6280 3333, ext. 8172

?  Address: No. 3, 17A Street, Binh Tri Dong B Ward, Binh Tan Dist. (Next to AEON Mall Binh Tan). Ho Chi Minh City.

? Website: https://cih.com.vn/en/

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