ORBITAL INVOLVEMENT IN ALLERGIC FUNGAL SINUSITIS

Background: Although allergic fungal sinusitis is a relatively common, noninvasive form of paranasal sinus mycosis, and despite frequent orb ital involvement, there have been few reports of this condition in the ophthalmic literature. Methods: Two cases of allergic fungal sinusiti s having orbital symptoms are described, The current classification, t ypical presentation, and ideal management of fungal sinusitis are revi ewed. Results: Distinguishing radiologic and pathologic features were present in both patients, Aspergillus flavus was cultured in one case, and Bipolaris spicifera was cultured in the other. Conclusions: Aller gic fungal sinusitis is a unique subset of sino-orbital disease with h ighly characteristic clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features, Un like invasive forms of mycotic disease, allergic fungal sinusitis may be managed adequately with surgical debridement, aeration of the invol ved sinuses, and systemic and topical corticosteroids.