Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.54(3) > 1009636

Lim, Sung, and Lim: A Case of Invasive Aspergillosis Involving the Orbital Apex and Occipital Lobe:Successful Treatment with Voriconazole

Abstract

Purpose

To report an immunocompetent patient with more than 1-year survival after treatment with voriconazole, despite invasive paranasal sinus aspergillosis involving the orbital apex.

Case summary:

A 74-year-old woman with only preexisting hypertension visited our clinic complaining of pain and immovable left eye that occurred approximately 4 days prior. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a sphenoid sinusitis with suspicious lesion involving the orbital apex of the left eye. A biopsy by functional endoscopic sphenoid surgery (FESS) was performed through the sphenoid sinus, which enabled us to diagnose aspergillosis. The patient had esotropia, ophthalmoplegia, positive RAPD, and ptosis in the left eye. On follow-up, a new MRI showed acute to subacute stage infarction at the left occipital lobe. After the patient was treated with intravenous voriconazole, ptosis, and ophthalmoplegia improved. At the 13-month follow-up, she was alive with no disease recurrence.

Conclusions

Invasive aspergillosis of orbit and cerebrum in healthy patients is a rare clinical entity. In case of central nervous system involvement, the survival outcome is poor with high mortality; however, good results can be obtained by treatment with voriconazole.

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Figure 1.
At the initial visit, the patient had 30 prism diopters of left esodeviation (E). There was limitation of elevation (A, B, C) and abduction (F) in the left eye.
jkos-54-540f1.tif
Figure 2.
Histologic finding (H&E stain ×400): Septated fungal hyphae with acute angle branching.
jkos-54-540f2.tif
Figure 3.
Magnetic resonance images (Axial view) showing invasive aspergillosis involving left ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses, left anterior clinoid process, left orbital apex with bony disruption, and lateral and superior wall of the left sphenoid sinus (A). Acute to subacute stage infarction, left occipital lobe (PCA territory) (B).
jkos-54-540f3.tif
Figure 4.
Magnetic resonance images (Axial view) showing invasive aspergillosis with slightly decreased fungal mass (A). Left occipital lobe (PCA territory) with hemorrhagic transformation in the cortex (B).
jkos-54-540f4.tif
Figure 5.
Computed tomographic scan (Axial cut) showing no significant abnormality of both orbits.
jkos-54-540f5.tif
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