Aspergillosis related to long-term nasal corticosteroid use

Abstract

Aspergillus is a ubiquitous mold that can cause several types of symptomatic infections: allergic aspergillosis, typically in young atopic patients; aspergillomas (often referred to as fungus balls); and invasive aspergillosis, typically seen in debilitated or immunocompromised patients. We describe an 85-year-old woman who was not immunocompromised but had invasive aspergillosis of the paranasal sinus that resulted in unilateral headache and retrobulbar optic neuropathy. After extensive differential diagnostic examination, we concluded that the condition was possibly related to the long-term use of nasal corticosteroids (fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray). Surgical removal of solid masses of Aspergillus organisms followed by extended treatment with antifungal agents resulted in a favorable outcome.