Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis: LRH Experience

Objective: To determine the characteristics of allergic fungal rhinosinusits experienced at a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: This study was conducted at the Department of ENT, Head and Neck surgery, PGMI / LRH Peshawar Pakistan. All the patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were properly evaluated in terms of detailed history, thorough examination and appropriate investigations. Biopsy was taken and on getting diagnosis necessary surgical intervention was carried out followed by medical therapy. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17. Results: A total of twenty five patients enrolled were in age range from 10 – 70 years with mean age of 40.36  S.D 17.26 years. These patients constitute 15 male and 10 female with male: female ratio of 1.5:1. Most of the patients (44%) had lower socioeconomic status and mainly they were from rural area (68%) with only 48% were educated. The commonest symptom was nasal blockage (88%). In majority of cases (92%) disease was limited to nose and paranasal sinuses radiologically. Dematiaceous fungi were the commonest isolates (76%). Conclusion: Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis (AFRS) was a common finding in middle age poor people living in humid climate. Nasal discharge was the commonest presentation of this disease. Aspergillus sp. was the commonest isolates of AFRS.