Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2009 Mar;2(1):52-54. 10.3342/ceo.2009.2.1.52.

Orbital Apex Syndrome in a Patient with Sphenoid Fungal Balls

• Cho SH
• Jin BJ
• Lee YS
• Paik SS
• Ko MK
• Yi HJ

• KMID: 1466565
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/ceo.2009.2.1.52

Abstract

Orbital apex syndrome (OAS) is a rare disease that presents with a complex of symptoms, including ophthalmoplegia, ptosis and visual loss. Due to the poor prognosis, making a prompt diagnosis and administering the appropriate treatment must be initiated without delay if OAS is suspected. We report here on a case of a patient with sphenoid fungal balls, and he presented with acute visual loss and ophthalmoplegia.

Keyword

Orbit; Sphenoid sinus; Fungi; Aspergillosis; Steriods

MeSH Terms

Aspergillosis
Fungi
Humans
Ophthalmoplegia
Orbit
Prognosis
Rare Diseases
Sphenoid Sinus

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The orbital CT scan showed soft tissue density at the posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. The posterior wall of the sphenoid sinus (*) was eroded and the inferior rectus muscle (arrow) was thickened (A). The soft tissue of the sphenoid sinus showed a low-signal on the T1W (B) and an intermediate signal on the T2W (C). Increased signal densities were found at the retrobulbar area and the orbital apex (B, arrow) of the right eye.

• 

  Fig. 2 Mucosal biopsy was performed during endoscopic sphenoidotomy. Gomori methenamine silver stain showed minimal tissue invasion of the fungal balls (arrow, ×400).

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