Fungal Infections of the Sinonasal Tract and Their Differential Diagnoses

Surg Pathol Clin. 2024 Dec;17(4):533-548. doi: 10.1016/j.path.2024.07.003. Epub 2024 Aug 17.

Abstract

Fungal rhinosinusitis is a broad group of diseases that includes noninvasive and invasive forms with overlapping clinical presentations. While most cases of fungal rhinosinusitis follow an indolent clinical course, surgical pathologists play a crucial role in early identification of life-threating subtypes, specifically invasive fungal rhinosinusitis. This review describes fungal infections of the sinonasal tract and their histopathologic mimickers. Clinical, gross, and microscopic features that are important for diagnosis, as well as available ancillary studies, are discussed.

Keywords: Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis; Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis; Chronic granulomatous invasive fungal rhinosinusitis; Fungal rhinosinusitis; Fungal sinusitis; Fungus ball.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Mycoses* / diagnosis
  • Mycoses* / pathology
  • Paranasal Sinuses / microbiology
  • Paranasal Sinuses / pathology
  • Rhinitis* / diagnosis
  • Rhinitis* / microbiology
  • Rhinitis* / pathology
  • Sinusitis* / diagnosis
  • Sinusitis* / microbiology
  • Sinusitis* / pathology