Allergic Fungal Sinusitis )Presentation and Management)

Allergic fungal Rhinosinusitis (AFRS) defined as a chronic rhinosinusitis which occur in an immunecompetent patient with an allergy to fungus, approximately (7%) of all chronic rhino sinusitis caused by this entity. The criteria for diagnosis are still under debate as several authers have proposed their own rules.This study was conducted to clarify the age, sex, main presentation of AFRS and its methods of management.To identify the main associated factors and the role of CT- Scan in diagnosis of this disease. During nine months period from April 2009 through December. 2009 a total of (10) patients with AFRS in otolaryngology department in Medical City in Baghdad were included in this study. Every patient was assessed by thorough history and careful physical examination, plain x-ray of nose and Paranasal sinuses and CT- Scan was done for all of them. Data were collected in a questionnaire design and arranged in tables and charts for analysis. Most of patients were below the age of thirty (7=70%) with equal incidence in males (5=50%) and females (5=50%). Unilateral nasal obstruction were the most common presenting symptom (6=6%) ,and nasal polyps were the most common sign(8=80%), (4=40%=unilateral)and(4=40%=bilateral). Most of the patients (7=70%) had allergic rhinitis and the majority (6=60%) of them required surgical treatment. In conclusion, this study revealed that AFRS is a disease of young age with chronic course and multiple recurrences with equall incidence in males and females and need prolonged intranasal steroid therapy and surgical debridement.