Incidence of Skull Base and Orbital Erosion in Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis (AFRS) and Non-AFRS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of bony erosion associated with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) with the incidence of bony erosion seen in other types of inflammatory sinusitis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. RESULTS: AFRS was diagnosed in 27 patients, and 15/27 (56%) had bony skull base or orbital erosion. Non-AFRS chronic sinusitis required surgery in 158 patients, but only 8 (5%) had bony skull base or orbital erosion (P < 0.01). AFRS patients were 12.6 times ( P < 0.01) more likely to have bony erosion than non-AFRS patients. African American males were 15.0 times ( P < 0.01) more likely to have bony erosion than whites and African American females combined. CONCLUSION: Bony erosion with intracranial and intraorbital extension is much more common in AFRS than all other types of inflammatory sinusitis combined. African American males have a higher incidence of AFRS, as well as intracranial and intraorbital extension.