Functional endoscopic sinus surgery and 109 mycetomas of paranasal sinuses

Abstract

Mycetomas of paranasal sinuses are more frequently diagnosed with the widespread use of nasal endoscopy and computed tomography (CT). We present a series of 109 cases treated by functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) with a mean follow-up of 29 months. All localizations were seen, and contrary to what was initially thought, seven cases presented in multiple sites. Several clinical presentations were found, from a pansinusal involvement to a simple mycetoma hanging in a superior meatus. A heterogeneous sinus opacity with microcalcifications on CT scan is very suggestive of the diagnosis, but a homogeneous opacity may be encountered even with bone lysis. FESS was performed in all cases to obtain a wide opening of the affected sinuses, permitting a careful extraction of all fungal material. In the postoperative period, no medical treatment is prescribed. With a mean follow-up of 29 months, only four recurrences were seen. This study reinforces the interest in FESS for cases of mycetoma of the paranasal sinuses.