Fungal infections are some of the most common types of chronic sinus infections. Fungal sinus infections come in several different varieties. According to the book "Head and Neck Surgery - Otolaryngology" by Byron Bailey, they can range from mild chronic infections associated with allergies, to severe acute destructive infections that can be fatal if untreated. Some fungal species, such as Curvularia lunata, tend to cause noninvasive allergic sinusitis; others, such as mucor, tend to cause invasive forms of fungal sinusitis.
Surgery
According to the American Rhinologic Society, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for fungal sinus infections. The type of surgery depends on the severity of the infection. Physicians may perform endoscopic sinus surgery to remove the fungal organisms for allergic fungal sinusitis, but may have to do much more extensive open surgery to remove all of the tissue affected by an acute invasive fungal sinus infection.
Nasal Steroid Sprays
Allergic fungal sinusitis is the most common form of fungal sinus infection, according to the American Rhinologic Society. Although the first step of treatment for allergic fungal sinusitis consists of surgical removal of the fungus, patients with this condition often have to use nasal steroid sprays to control their allergies and prevent fungal disease recurrence.
Oral Steroids
According to the book "Head and Neck Surgery - Otolaryngology," it is important for people with allergic fungal sinusitis to adequately control their nasal allergies. Oral steroids are often necessary for these patients to treat or prevent allergic fungal sinusitis.
Antifungal Medication
For more severe forms of fungal sinus infections, physicians may prescribe antifungal medications in addition to surgery. According to MayoClinic.com, when the infection becomes severe enough, intravenous medications such as amphoterecin B or voriconazole are necessary to fight against the spread of the fungal infection. Once the disease is under control, physicians may prescribe oral medications, such as ketoconazole, to control the infection.
References
- "Head and Neck Surgery - Otolaryngology"; Byron Bailey; 2006
- American Rhinologic Society: Fungal Sinusitis
- Mayo Clinic: Acute Sinusitis
