[Formation of roentgen dense structures in aspergillus mycoses of the paranasal sinuses]

Abstract

On screening x-rays or tomography almost half of the patients with a mycotic sinusitis presented metal-dense structures in the the paranasal sinuses. It can be demonstrated that this is due to extraordinary amounts of calcium phosphate and calcium sulphate which are deposited intracellularly, mainly inside necrotic fungal cells. In the absence of a foreign body history these radiographic shadows are almost definite proof of a mycotic sinusitis caused by aspergillus species.