The Role of Ostiomeatal Complex Obstruction in Maxillary Fungus Ball

Abstract

B-3b.

Maxillary sinus volume: new physiopathological data in fungal ball genesis? A retrospective study

“…concluded that their statistical data did not support the hypothesis that maxillary fungus ball is associated with ostiomeatal complex obstruction. They surmised that another as‐yet‐unexplained mechanism must be responsible for the disease . We found very few observable anatomical variations that could trigger ostiomeatal dysfunction in our series.…”

“…They showed that fungal ball was more frequent in rabbits with blockage of the maxillary ostium . Recently, Tsai et al . concluded that their statistical data did not support the hypothesis that maxillary fungus ball is associated with ostiomeatal complex obstruction.…”

“…This idea was confirmed in 2005 by an experimental study, on rabbits, which showed that fungal ball was more frequent in rabbits with blockage of the maxillary ostium . Recently, several authors have discussed the implication of the ostiomeatal complex in the development of fungal ball . Moreover, the concept of sinus hypoventilation does not seem accurate as current data have shown that paranasal sinuses are not involved in nasal airflow and produce nitric oxide (NO) .…”

What is the Relationship between the Localization of Maxillary Fungal Balls and Intranasal Anatomic Variations?

“…In previous study [5], by comparing the Lund-McKay scores for the anterior ethmoidal and frontal sinuses of two groups of patients suffering from CRS and FB, it was demonstrated that obstruction of the OMC played a relevant role in the onset of rhinosinusitis, whereas a similar finding was not clearly demonstrable in the onset of an FB. Therefore, it was suggested that FB was not associated with OMC obstruction and that another factors would be responsible.…”

“…Eloy et al [4] suggested that sinus hypoventilation secondary to ostial dyspermeability plays an important role in trapping fungal spores and providing anaerobic conditions for the development of FB. Recently, Tsai et al [5] proposed some criticism of this hypothesis. By analyzing the Lund-McKay scores in paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) scans, they demonstrated that obstruction of the OMC was not clearly demonstrable in the onset of an FB.…”