KOREASCHOLAR

Zygomycosis and aspergillosis are representative filamentous fungal infections in the sinonasal region. However, their combined form seldom occurs. This report describes one case of zygomycosis and aspergillosis occurring in a patient that did not have diabetes or any other immunocompromising conditions. The patient presented with a history of intermittent swelling and pus discharge from the gingiva of the right maxillary posterior teeth. The radiographs demonstrated a periapical radiolucency around the right maxillary first molar, together with mild haziness and mucosal thickening of the right maxillary sinus. U nder t he c linical impression o f odontogenic sinusitis, a Caldwell-Luc operation was performed. However, the final diagnosis based on microscopic examination was combined zygomycosis and aspergillosis. Previous studies of zygomycosis occurring alone describe a very aggressive clinical course, including necrosis of tissue,cranial nerve involvement and death. Our patient did not show any of these symptoms, and recovered after surgical debridement only. It can be concluded from the present case that the prognosis of fungal infections depends on the immune status of the host, rather than behavior of the fungi.

• 조영아(서울대학교 치의학대학원 구강병리학교실) | Young Ah Cho
• 윤혜정(서울대학교 치의학대학원 구강병리학교실) | Hye Jung Yoon
• 홍성두(서울대학교 치의학대학원 구강병리학교실) | Seong Doo Hong
• 이재일(서울대학교 치의학대학원 구강병리학교실) | Jae Il Lee
• 홍삼표(서울대학교 치의학대학원 구강병리학교실) | Sam Pyo Hong correspondence