Schizophyllum commune Sinusitis: A Case Report and Radiologic Findings

Chronic sinusitis is now considered the most common chronic disease seen in this country.¹ The infections are commonly polymicrobial and include aerobes and anaerobes.² Fungal sinusitis accounts for up to 10% of cases of chronic sinusitis, and the disease ranges from allergic fungal sinusitis through fungus balls to invasive fungal sinus disease.^3,4 We report the case of a 19-year-old black female with nasal obstruction, clear rhinorrhea, and nasal polyps. She underwent endoscopic sinus surgery after medical management failed to eradicate her symptoms. Cultures from her paranasal sinuses grew S. commune, a mushroom, a member of the Basidiomycetes. There have been four prior reports of S. commune sinusitis described in the literature. Presented is a review of the literature, a description of the histologic, mycologic, and radiologic findings and suggested treatment. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings are presented here for the first time.