Blindness Secondary to Sphenoid Fungus Ball.
- Author:
Oh Jin KWON
1
;
Sea Yuong JEON
;
Kyung Su KIM
;
Jin Pyeong KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gyeong-Sang National University Hospital, Chinju, Korea. syjeon@nongae.gsnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Blindness;
Sphenoid sinus;
Fungus ball;
Sphenoethmoidectomy
- MeSH:
Amphotericin B;
Aspergillus;
Biopsy;
Blindness;
Fungi;
Hand;
Humans;
Immunocompromised Host;
Light;
Middle Aged;
Optic Nerve;
Optic Nerve Diseases;
Orbit;
Sphenoid Sinus;
Stress, Psychological
- From:Journal of Rhinology
2008;15(2):148-151
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The close vicinity of the optic nerve to the sphenoid sinus may cause visual loss in the sphenoid fungus ball. We present a case of blindness secondary to sphenoid fungus ball without any evidence of orbital invasion in imaging studies. A 61-year-old man, suffering from uncomplicated diabetes, was referred for right visual loss that developed 1 day ago. He perceived hand motion on the right. CT and MRI revealed a fungus ball in the right sphenoid sinus. However, there was no evidence of orbital invasion. Endoscopic sphenoethmoidectomy was performed to remove the fungus ball. Systemic mega-dose steroid and amphotericin B were started because he lost the light perception 3 days after surgery. Biopsy revealed aspergillus fungus ball and no evidence of mucosal invasion. However, blindness was not reversed. Evidence of orbital invasion in imaging diagnosis is elusive in sphenoid fungus ball; therefore, systemic antifungal treatment should be initiated and early endoscopic sphenoidotomy should be performed in case of rapidly progressing visual loss, especially in diabetic or immunocompromised patients. Mega-dose steroid therapy for optic neuropathy should be selective because it may aggravate underlying systemic diseases to cause early termination of systemic antifungal treatment.
