Medical Journal of The Islamic Republic of Iran (MJIRI)

  Abstract

  Background: Invasive fungal infection is an opportunistic infection caused commonly

  by mucoraccae and aspergillus. It mostly occurs in patients with underlying disease.

  Since it has a high mortality and morbidity rate, considering a treatment strategy seems

  necessary.

  Objective: Since there has not been a clear protocol for treating these patients, we decided

  to establish a protocol for fungal infection of sinus and anterior skull base management.

  Methods: This retrospective and descriptive case study series included 30 patients.

  After confirming the pathogen, the authors came to a proper protocol for treatment which

  is mentioned later.

  Results: The site involvement included nose and orbital cavity (53.3%), anterior skull

  base and brain in conjunction with sinonasal (36.6%) and simple nasal cavity involvement

  (10%). 86.6% of the patients had underlying diseases. 56.6% of patients had diabetes

  as a single underlying disease, while 13.3% had both diabetes and renal failure in

  combination. Acute lymphocytic leukemia was present in 6.6%, renal failure in 3.3%, lupus

  in 3.3% and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 3.3% of patients. Mortality rate was

  40%. We categorized the patients into 3 groups: only sinonasal, sinonasal and orbit, and

  associated anterior skull base and brain involvement.

  Conclusion: Early diagnosis is an important factor in improving survival. Anterior

  skull base and brain involvement has a very poor prognosis.