Prevalence of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis who underwent endonasal sinus surgery in northwestern Turkey.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis in chronic rhinosinusitis patients in the northwest of Turkey.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Eighty-seven patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis and who were planned endonasal sinus surgery were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were evaluated by detailed clinical examination, computed tomography, skin test against allergens, total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, fungal-specific IgE antibody, and histopathologic and mycologic monitoring.

RESULTS

Fungal elements showing tissue invasiveness were detected in only four patients. These patients had specific IgE against Aspergillus fumigatus (4.6%). Skin tests were positive for at least one allergen in 16 patients (18.3%).

CONCLUSION

None of the patients met diagnostic criteria for allergic fungal rhinosinusitis. This result may be due to the diversity in disease prevalence based on geographical location or diagnostic methods.