Fungus Ball of the Middle Ear: A Case Study

A spergillus is a filamentous fungus generally acquired after inhalation of airborne spores. It can lead to a variety of diseases in the sinus cavities, including invasive fungal rhinosinusitis and fungus ball. Fungus balls are a noninvasive accumulation of a dense conglomeration of fungal mycelia, inflammatory cells, fibrin, mucus, and tissue debris; they usually develop in body cavities such as the paranasal sinus and lung cavities.Aspergillus fumigatus is the most commonly found species. The most frequent fungus ball is located in the maxillary sinus. It can be asymptomatic or, more frequently, simulate chronic rhinosinusitis with purulent nasal discharge. Imagery shows a small hyperdense mass on computed tomography (CT) scan and a signal decrease in T1 and T2 sequences on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histopathologic examination with Gomori-Grocott coloration shows fungal hyphae. Treatment is solely surgical: extraction of the fungus ball. No local or general antimycotic treatment is needed. Usually in the middle ear, aspergillosis develops as an invasive fungal infection. This disease is an acute and potentially lethal infection associated with local otologic signs, facial palsy, and general septic syndrome. Treatment includes extensive surgical debridement and long-term intravenous antimycotic drugs. We present an original case of fungus ball of the middle ear, presenting all the characteristics of the common sinus entity. This study was approved by our local ethics committee (Arthur Vernes ethics committee). Case Report