ASPERGILLUS SPHENOID SINUSITIS-INDUCED ORBITAL APEX SYNDROME IN HIV-INFECTION

Background: Orbital apex syndrome due to aspergillus sphenoid sinusiti s is a rare condition. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection ha s recently been reported in aspergillus orbital abscess. To the author s' knowledge this is the first reported association of HIV with the or bital apex syndrome. Methods: A 37-year-old HIV-infected man presented with headache, reduced vision and progressive ophthalmoplegia in the right eye. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MR I) revealed sphenoid sinusitis. Sphenoid sinus biopsy was performed. R esults: Light microscopy revealed infiltrative branching septate funga l hyphae. Fungal culture isolated Aspergillus fumigatus. Conclusion: A typical fungal infection such as Aspergillus fumigatus sphenoid sinusi tis should be suspected in HIV-infected patients with orbital apex syn drome.