Drainage of the sinus, by surgery, usually cures the problem, unless the Aspergillus has entered the sinuses deep inside the skull. Then antifungal drugs and surgery are usually successful. When individuals have damaged immune systems such as is caused by leukemia or a bone marrow transplant, Aspergillus Sinusitis is more threatening. This type of sinusitis is a form of invasive aspergillosis . Symptoms include fever, facial pain, nasal discharge and headaches.
Diagnosis is made by finding the fungus in fluid or tissue from the sinuses and with scans.
Powerful antifungal drugs are essential in the treatment. Surgery is done in most cases as a step in determining exactly the nature of the problem and is often helpful in eradicating the fungus. Some patients cough up brown colored plugs of mucus. Diagnosis can be made by X-ray or by sputum, skin and blood tests. If untreated, long term ABPA can lead to pen-nanent lung damage.