Non-invasive Fungal Sinusitis as a Complication of a Steroid-Eluting Stent Following Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Case Report

Objective: Steroid eluting stents have proven to be a highly useful adjunctive therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and play an important role in the treatment of many inflammatory diseases of the sinuses. Few reports of adverse events were reported in clinical trials and are described in the literature. However, we describe the first known case of an immunocompetent patient developing non-invasive fungal tissue infection as a sequelae of stent-related tissue necrosis requiring surgical debridement. Methods: A 69-year-old immunocompetent male with CRS had Propel (TM) stents placed in the bilateral frontal sinus outflow tracts during revision endoscopic sinus surgery. He presented 2 weeks post-operatively with severe facial pain without vision changes, fevers, mental status changes, or evidence of cranial neuropathies. On rigid nasal endoscopy, necrotic tissue and gross fungal elements were visualized in the left frontal sinus outflow tract at the area of previous steroid stent position. Results: The patient was taken for urgent endoscopic sinus surgery and debridement given significant symptoms and concern for invasive fungal infection. A revision left maxillectomy, ethmoidectomy, and draf 2b frontal sinus drillout were performed, with healthy bleeding tissue encountered beneath necrotic tissue. Pathology revealed tissue necrosis, exudative lumenal debris, and extensive fungal elements with no evidence of tissue invasion, and cultures yielded growth of aspergillus niger. The patient's symptoms improved significantly on post-operative day 1, he had normal post-operative changes at 2 weeks following debridement, and had no recurrence of fungal infection with complete healing at 4 months. Conclusion: While likely rare, steroid-eluting stents may pose a risk of saprophytic tissue infection as a result of tissue necrosis and local immunosuppression. Caution should be taken in using these devices in immunocompromised patients.

Automated summary

Steroid eluting stents have been found to be highly useful in treating chronic rhinosinusitis, but may pose a risk of tissue necrosis and fungal infection, especially in immunocompromised patients. It is important to be cautious when using these devices.