Aggressive combined modality treatment of progressive sinonasal fungal infections in immunocompromised patients

Purpose: Invasive fungal infections of the paranasal sinuses in immunocompromised hosts are often fatal despite therapeutic interventions. In an effort to achieve a better outcome in patients with these infections, aggressive management was combined with medical/surgical intervention. Patients and methods: A series of 18 immunocompromised patients with invasive sinonasal fungal infections was retrospectively analyzed. Management consisted of a combined modality clinical approach, including aggressively sought early diagnosis; early amphotericin use; extensive surgical debridement; and liberal use of granulocyte transfusion support. Results: Eight of 13 patients with eventual neutrophil recovery survived with control of all local and systemic signs of fungal infection. All patients with persisting neutropenia died of progressive infection. Conclusion: We conclude that meticulous surveillance of patients in high-risk groups for fungal infection should be maintained due to the apparent value of rapid intervention with a combination of surgical resection and medical management (antifungal chemotherapy and white blood cell transfusions). Infection control and survival are ultimately dependent on recovery of marrow function and circulating neutrophils.