THE UTILITY OF NASAL SECRETION CYTOLOGY IN DIAGNOSIS OF ALLERGIC FUNGAL SINUSITIS- A CASE REPORT

Abstract

INTRODUCTION-Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is a condition commonly occurring in immunocompromised individual. It is commonly characterized by increase eosinophils and increased IgE. CASE DETAILS- A 48-year-old female presented with foul smelling discharge from right nostril and right nasal blockage for one year. A clinical diagnosis of right maxillary sinus polyp was given. CT scan revealed mucosal thickening in right maxillary wall with central area of hyper density and calcification. Nasal swabs were taken and subsequently stained with Pap and MGG stain. Smears revealed fungal hyphae and a provisional diagnosis of allergic fungal sinusitis was given. The patient was operated and the diagnosis was confirmed on histology. DISCUSSION- AFS is a relatively incompletely understood entity with characteristic clinical, radiological and histopathological finding. Fungal elements can be detected from nasal discharge by means of cytology. CONCLUSION- Nasal secretion cytology can be used as a preoperative as well as an intraoperative tool for or early rapid diagnosis of AFS.