PARASELLAR ASPERGILLUS GRANULOMA EXTENDING FROM THE SPHENOID SINUS - REPORT OF 2 CASES

BACKGROUND Sphenoid sinus aspergillosis is a rare disease known to sho w an aggressive course with high mortality. Early diagnosis, though di fficult, is required to prevent lethal fungal meningoencephalitis. CAS E REPORT We describe two cases of parasellar Aspergillus granuloma ext ending from the sphenoid sinus clinically indistinguishable from intra cranial neoplasms. In the first patient, the fungus colony was visuali zed by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a s a calcified concretion and total removal was curative. In the second patient, partial removal acid subsequent antifungal therapy had minim al effect. CONCLUSIONS The prognosis of the patients with this disease depends on prompt surgical treatment before intradural invasion occur s, and CT and MRI are useful diagnostic maneuvers for detecting calcif ied Aspergillus colonies.