Bilateral allergic fungal rhinosinusitis caused by Schizophillum commune and Aspergillus niger. A case report.

Schizophillum commune (S. commune) is a rare type of basidiomycetous fungus that has being reported as a cause of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS), invasive type of fungal sinusitis and allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM). However, it is believed that S. commune was often misdiagnosed to Aspergillus sp. We report a case of bilateral nasal polyps and maxillary, ethmoidal and sphenoidal involvement within the context of S. commune and Aspergillus niger associated AFRS. Our patient was suffering from a chronic disease with periods of remission and exacerbation and was treated successfully by a combination of surgical and antifungal treatment. In our experience, S. commune may be found frequently in patients with AFRS. AFRS, including the S. commune-associated type, usually runs a prolonged course and can affect any paranasal sinus. Surgical treatment alone is not sufficient and must be combined with medical treatment.