Phaeohyphomycosis of the paranasal sinuses caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi - A case report

Abstract

Phaeohyphomycosis of paranasal sinuses is not very frequent. We here report a case of paranasal sinusitis caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi in a 53 year old diabetic male, with deviated nasal septum. With surgical correction and antifungal treatment with itraconazole, the patient’s condition improved and he was discharged. Fonsecaea exists in the environment as a saprophyte and its infection is usually not lethal. However in immunocompromised individuals, when there is systemic invasion the mortality rate is high. With limited treatment options available for this fungus, early and prompt identification plays a major role not only in treatment, but also prevents further invasion.