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BackTable / ENT / Podcast / Episode #73

Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis

with Dr. Amber Luong

In this episode of BackTable ENT, Dr. Shah and Dr. Agan speak about allergic fungal rhinosinusitis with Dr. Amber Luong, vice president of the American Rhinology Society and professor of otolaryngology at McGovern Medical School.

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Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis with Dr. Amber Luong on the BackTable ENT Podcast)
Ep 73 Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis with Dr. Amber Luong
00:00 / 01:04

BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2022, October 11). Ep. 73 – Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com

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Podcast Contributors

Dr. Amber Luong discusses Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis on the BackTable 73 Podcast

Dr. Amber Luong

Dr. Amber Luong is the vice president of the American Rhinology Society and a professor of otolaryngology at McGovern Medical School in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Ashley Agan discusses Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis on the BackTable 73 Podcast

Dr. Ashley Agan

Dr. Ashley Agan is a practicing ENT and assistant professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX.

Dr. Gopi Shah discusses Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis on the BackTable 73 Podcast

Dr. Gopi Shah

Dr. Gopi Shah is a practicing ENT at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX.

Show Notes

Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is a subtype of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps that present with allergic inflammation against fungal antigens. It has some unique features, such as very expanded sinus cavities and a thick, sticky mucin. Oftentimes, patients have an allergy sensitivity and elevated IgE levels in the thousands. Diagnosis is usually made based on the Bent and Kuhn Classification, which is based on clinical/phenotypic criteria. However, Dr. Luong notes that AFS can have geographically diverse presentations. She has noticed that there is a higher AFS prevalence in the South because of the more hot and humid weather. Looking towards the future, she predicts that molecular pathophysiology will be more important in diagnosis, as distinction between the AFS endotypes can serve as targets for therapy. Her research laboratory works on finding these molecular targets.

Next, the doctors discuss typical AFS patient presentations. Dr. Luong usually sees young patients in their 20s with unilateral disease. If they have bilateral disease and other symptoms, it is most likely cystic fibrosis, not AFS. Additionally, AFS patients will have expanded sinuses on CT that may cause a mild headache. Dr. Shah adds that in severe cases, smell and vision loss is possible. However, AFS generally has a low symptom burden because patients get used to the symptoms. Dr. Luong notes that she usually only orders a CT scan. No MRI is needed unless other complications are noted (vision loss, meningitis, skull base / cranial nerve invasion). She orders labs like CBC with differential and total IgE levels.

Next, she shares surgical pearls for treating AFS. She believes that the first surgery is critical to controlling the disease and preventing recurrence. She performs a full FESS on the impacted side and inserts a PROPEL stent that releases steroids locally. Because the sinuses are difficult to clear, she uses angled scopes, warm saline, and the hydrodebrider to complete this task. Although the microdebrider with navigation can be helpful, she doesn’t really use it.

Finally, she shares her steroid regimen. She prescribes at least 40 mg of prednisone in adult patients 3-4 days before surgery. Postoperatively, she prescribes an oral steroid taper starting at 30 mg and decreasing the dosage by 10 mg each week. Additionally, she gives her patients a post-operative nasal rinse that consists of mupirocin and budesonide. She emphasizes the importance of making the postoperative regimen as easy as possible to ensure daily compliance. Finally, the doctors discuss trends in AFS patient follow up.

Disclaimer: The Materials available on BackTable.com are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.

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