PubMed: Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis.

[Guest guest]

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2004 Nov;4(6):465-70.

Related Articles, Links

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis.

Luong A, Marple BF.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas

Southwestern

Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.

The combination of nasal polyposis, crust formation, and sinus cultures yielding

Aspergillus was first noted in 1976 by Safirstein, who observed the clinical

similarity that

this constellation of findings shared with allergic bronchopulmonary

aspergillosis (ABPA).

Eventually, this disease came to be known as allergic fungal rhinosinusitis

(AFRS). As

clinical evidence of AFRS accumulated, controversy regarding its etiology,

pathogenesis,

natural history, and appropriate treatment naturally emerged. Despite past and

current

efforts, many of these controversies remain incompletely resolved, but

continuing clinical

study has illuminated some aspects of the disease and has led to an improved

understanding of AFRS and its treatment. In this article, we review current data

and

theories regarding the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of AFRS, as

well as the

roles of various surgical and nonsurgical forms of therapy.