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An unusual location for a fungus ball: the concha bullosa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2012

E Ciger ,
U Demiray ,
K Onal  and
M Songu
E Ciger
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Ataturk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
U Demiray*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Ataturk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
K Onal
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Ataturk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
M Songu
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Ataturk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Utku Demiray, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Izmir Ataturk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey Fax: 00 90 232 4892315 E-mail: utkudemiray@mynet.com
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Abstract

Objective:

We report an unusual case of a fungus ball in the concha bullosa, without involvement of the paranasal sinuses.

Case report:

A 29-year-old woman presented complaining of nasal obstruction and postnasal discharge. Paranasal computed tomography demonstrated that the concha bullosa in the right middle turbinate was filled with a high-density material. The patient underwent endoscopic resection of the concha bullosa, during which a dark brown, cheese-like material was found. Histopathological examination of the excised specimen revealed a fungus ball.

Conclusion:

Fungus balls are non-invasive accumulations of dense fungal concretions that generally affect healthy individuals. In the sinonasal region, they occur most frequently in the maxillary sinus. Although fungus ball formation in the concha bullosa is unusual, it should be considered in the differential diagnoses of middle turbinate and sinonasal pathology.

Keywords

TurbinatesFungusConcha BullosaAspergillosis

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 8 , August 2012 , pp. 844 - 846
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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