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Medical management of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis following endoscopic sinus surgery: an evidence‐based review and recommendations
Author(s) -
Gan Eng Cern,
Thamboo Andrew,
Rudmik Luke,
Hwang Peter H.,
Ferguson Berrylin J.,
Javer Amin R.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international forum of allergy and rhinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.503
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 2042-6984
pISSN - 2042-6976
DOI - 10.1002/alr.21352
Subject(s) - medicine , dermatology , medline , systematic review , chronic rhinosinusitis , asthma , surgery , political science , law
Background Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a subset of polypoid chronic rhinosinusitis that is characterized by the presence of eosinophilic mucin with fungal hyphae within the sinuses and a Type I hypersensitivity to fungi. The treatment of AFRS usually involves surgery in combination with medical therapies to keep the disease in a dormant state. However, what constitutes an optimal medical regimen is still controversial. Hence, the purpose of this article is to provide an evidence‐based approach for the medical management of AFRS. Methods A systemic review of the literature on the medical management of AFRS was performed using Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Review Databases up to March 15, 2013. The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients >18 years old; AFRS as defined by Bent and Kuhn; post–sinus surgery; studies with a clearly defined end point to evaluate the effectiveness of medical therapy in postoperative AFRS patients. Results This review identified and assessed 6 medical modalities for AFRS in the literature: oral steroids; topical steroids; oral antifungals; topical antifungals; immunotherapy; and leukotriene modulators. Conclusion Based on available evidence in the literature, postoperative systemic and standard topical nasal steroids are recommended in the medical management of AFRS. Nonstandard topical nasal steroids, oral antifungals, and immunotherapy are options in cases of refractory AFRS. No recommendations can be provided for topical antifungals and leukotriene modulators due to insufficient clinical research reported in the literature.