Maxillary sinus fungus ball: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Sinus fungus ball is a non-invasive sinus disease and the incidence of this disease has increased in recent years. The aim of this case report was to present the radiographic and clinical findings of a patient who was diagnosed with a sinus fungus ball. Case Report: A 40-years-old female patient referred to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology department with the complaint of pain in the head and orofacial region. Any dental reason that may cause the pain was not detected, however, a foreign body at the left maxillary sinus was seen on a panoramic radiograph taken from the patient. Then, cone-beam computed tomography images were obtained. These images revealed total opacification of the left maxillary sinus with calcified areas. Due to the complaint of the patient and clinical and radiographic findings magnetic resonance images were obtained with the initial diagnosis of possible fungal sinusitis. Magnetic resonance images supported this diagnosis. Upon this, the patient was operated and histopathological examination was made. The presence of fungus compatible with the Aspergillus type was confirmed with histopathologic examination. Conclusion: Dentists must be aware of maxillary sinus fungal infections in patients with facial pain.

Keywords

• cone-beam computed tomography
• maxillary sinus
• mycoses