Histopathologic assessment of fungal involvement of the paranasal sinuses in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE

To assess paranasal sinus material histopathologically for the presence of fungus.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Paraffin-embedded archival biopsy samples of patients who underwent endonasal sinus surgery between 1992 and 2002 were retrospectively assessed for the presence of fungi. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections of the materials were re-evaluated, and Gomori's methanamine silver stain was also applied as required.

RESULTS

Fungus (Aspergillus) was detected histopathologically in only 21476 patients, both of whom were immunocompetent. One patient was considered to have chronic indolent sinusitis and the other allergic fungal sinusitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although histopathologic assessment is one of the most important diagnostic tools, on its own it may lead to underestimation of fungal involvement of the paranasal sinuses. Alternatively, fungal involvement of the paranasal sinuses may be very infrequent in Turkey.