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This is the most dangerous and life-threatening form of fungal sinusitis. Fortunately, it is very rare. This aggressive disease causes fungus to rapidly grow throughout sinus tissue and bone, extending to the area around the brain and eye.
Acute invasive fungal sinusitis typically afflicts patients who have:
- Poorly functioning or compromised immune systems
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Patient undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment
- Patients undergoing organ/bone marrow transplantation
Treatment involves a combination of aggressive surgical and medical therapy. Repeated surgery may be necessary to serially remove all dead tissue. Medications such as anti-fungal drugs and medications that improve the patient’s immune system are vital to improving the survival rate. Although this disease is rare, it is frequently fatal.