Fungal Infections of the Paranasal Sinuses: Microbiological Profiles and Treatment Outcomes

Abstract

Fungal infections of the paranasal sinuses, while less prevalent than bacterial infections, present complex clinical challenges due to their varying severity and diverse fungal etiology. This prospective study, spanning two years at a tertiary care hospital, aimed to characterize the microbiological profiles of fungal pathogens involved in sinus infections and evaluate the efficacy of different treatment strategies. Out of 200 patients with fungal sinusitis, Aspergillus spp. was identified in 60% of cases, while Mucor spp. was found in 25%. Treatment outcomes varied with antifungal therapy alone achieving a 75% success rate, surgical intervention alone 80%, and combined therapy 90%. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis highlighted significantly better outcomes for combined therapy compared to monotherapies. Adverse effects from antifungal treatments included hepatotoxicity (10%) and nephrotoxicity (5%), while surgical complications were minimal. This study emphasizes the importance of a tailored treatment approach, particularly combined therapies, in managing severe fungal sinusitis and improving patient outcomes.