Maxillary sinusitis from Pseudallescheria boydii. Efficacy of surgical therapy.

Pseudallescheria boydii is a ubiquitous mold of soil and is a frequent cause of mycetoma in the United States. Involvement of the sinuses is extremely rare. The necessity of medical and/or surgical management is largely unknown but appears to be dependent on variables of host defense mechanisms, as the fungus is relatively avirulent. Chronic maxillary sinusitis secondary to P boydii developed in a noncompromised woman. Evidence of erosion of the bony wall of the orbit was encountered at operation. Successful eradication of this infection was accomplished with surgical drainage alone.