What is allergic fungal sinusitis?
Allergic fungal sinusitis is a condition affecting the paranasal sinus’s which is caused by an allergic reaction to fungus. The allergic reaction which occurs is one which causes swelling and inflammation of the nose and sinus’s with formation of polyps and copious amounts of mucus. The fungus in the nose forms thick mucus which is called allergic fungal mucin. From a technical point of view this condition is a mixed Type 1 and Type 3 allergic reaction.
Why does it occur?
Fungus is all around us and we breath in thousands of fungal spores every day. Patient’s with allergic fungal sinusitis develop an abnormal immune reaction to the fungus which they breathe in. This is not the fault of the patient, nor is it the fault of the immune system of the patient. There is a strong association of allergic fungal sinusitis and living in a humid environment.
What are the symptoms of Allergic Fungal Sinusitis?
The symptoms of allergic fungal sinusitis are the symptoms of rhinosinusitis. These symptoms are:
- Nasal obstruction
- Runny nose
- Post nasal drip
- Change in sense of smell
- Facial pain or pressure
In addition to these symptoms patients with allergic fungal sinusitis will also commonly have asthma or significant allergic rhinitis (hayfever).
How do I know I have Allergic Fungal Sinusitis?
Allergic fungal sinusitis is a condition which is suspected on history and examination. The suspicion of allergic fungal sinusitis is also raised when you have characteristic CT Scan findings which look like fungus. Dr Robinson will look at your CT Scan to determine whether you have these characteristic findings and inform you he suspects you have allergic fungal sinusitis.
What can be done about Allergic Fungal Sinusitis?
The treatment for allergic fungal sinusitis is surgery. The surgery has changed dramatically over the last few years and is now an operation which involves opening every single sinus and clearing the sinus’s of all of the fungal disease. The surgery which Dr Dan Robinson performs is functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The procedure will take approximately 2 and a half hours.
Once this is done Dr Robinson then sees you in the rooms multiple times until the sinus cavity has recovered from the operation. During this period of time Dr Robinson will continue to clean your sinus’s out of any debri which is building up. It is also imperative that you continue using copious amounts of saline irrigation in the nose after the operation.
If you are concerned that you may have allergic fungal sinusitis then make an appointment with Dr Dan Robinson to discuss your condition further.
